Tarak Ridge via Paniquian Trail / A Personal Journal / Album // March 2 to 3, 2019

Last weekend, our team had celebrated the 28th birthday of Luisa in Bataan, exploring a not-so-usual trail of Tarak Ridge, known as the Paniquian Trail.  Happy Birthday!

Conceptual Itinerary (Day Hike)

(Lifted from source)

Day 1

10:30 PM: Assembly at Bataan Transit

Day 2

12:00 AM: ETD to Brgy.Alas Asin, Mariveles, Bataan

05:00 AM:  ETA Brgy.Alas Asin / Register at Barangay Hall

05:30 AM: Start Trekking

06:30 AM: ETA DENR

07:30 AM: Junction going to papaya river and Paniquian (take left going to Paniquian)

08:30 AM: Water Source

09:30 AM: ETA River (River Trekking)

10:30 AM: ETA Paniquian Falls, Lunch

11:30 AM: Resume Trekking / Wall

12:30 PM:  Magellan Trail

01:00 PM: Japanese garden (Bamboo Trail)

01:30 PM: ETA Summit

02:00 PM: Start Descend

03:30 PM: ETA Papaya River

05:00 PM: Barangay hall / wash up

06:00 PM: Last trip going back to Cubao

Actual Itinerary (Overnight)

Day 1

03:00 AM: Meet-up Five Star Cubao

04:45 AM: Departure Cubao to Alasasin

08:15 AM: Arrival Alasasin / Register at Brgy. Hall / Breakfast / Final preparation

09:15 AM: Start of Hike

09:45 AM: Nanay Cording Landmark / Registration

10:05 AM: Hike resumed via Sky Trail

11:00 AM: Junction turn left

12:10 PM: First water Source

12:30 PM: River Crossing / Rock Scrambling / Rest

01:05 PM: Hike resumed to the campsite (Paniquian Falls)

02:30 PM: Campsite (Paniquian Falls) / Set-up Camp / Socials

Day 2

06:00 AM: Wake-up call / Breakfast / Break Camp

10:15 AM: Hike resumed

11:20 AM: Magellan Camp / Rest

11:30 AM: Hike Resumed

12:20 PM: El Saco Peak / Coffee Break

01:00 PM: Descent to Papaya River

01:30 PM: Tarak Ridge

02:00 PM: Papaya River / Rest

03:30 PM: Descent to jump-off

04:10 PM: Junction descent via Sky Trail

04:45 PM: Nanay Cording Landmark

05:15 PM: Jump-off / wash-up

06:15 PM: Departure to Manila

10:45 PM: Home Sweet Home

Expenses

Fare to Alasasin (Five Star): 290 Php / pax

Fare to Manila: 302 Php / pax

Registration fee (Brgy. Hall): 40 Php / pax

Donation at Nanay Cording Landmark: any amount

Food Expense: Sky is the limit

Guide Fee: 1500 Php (Dayhike) / 2500 Php (Overnight)

Note: Tour guide may be hired but not required as of the writing.  Darwin and Luisa became our team's trail-lights.

Brgy. Hall Contact Number: 09092134888 / 09291607836 / 09128687265

The Team and Their Roles

1. Carmelie “Bundok at Patag” Muyana and the love of her life - Followers / Propagators of Love

2. Darwin Narte - Cook / Trail light / Entertainer / Foreign Relation Officer :P

3. Israel Sibug - Griller

4. Jake Christian Chua - Follower / Scribe

5. Jay Cris "Momoland" Bondoc - Zumba Master / CEO at Momoland Travel and Tour

6. Luisa Asilum - Trail light / Cook / Celebrator / Master Organizer

7. Michelle Skyy Valle - Cook / Follower / Self-Proclaimed Dietician

8. Ross Mark Laurence - Sisig Man / Master Sweeper / Cook

Photos of the Past Adventure

Moments and Thoughts to Look Back
- The Fire Maple Tragedy
- Tarp Camping
- The Lost Cap from Netherland
- Ibigay mo sa amin yung website - Skyy and Luisa
- May ahas dun nakita ko habang tumatae ako - Darwin
- Magsaing ka!!! - Darwin
- Kaya pag sumama ng Antique to buhay na buhay to eh, di naliligo - Skyy
- Momoland turns to Mamaland Travel and Tour
- Dance Dance
- Revisiting the house of a late legend - Nanay Cording

Photo Credits to the owners

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Revisiting Lambingan Hills // January 5 to 6, 2019

Last weekend we revisited "Mt. Lambingan" to celebrate the birth date of Cristel, our group's hobbit.  The once peaceful and secluded place that we've seen a year ago is now starting to become a sanctuary of outdoor enthusiasts, and now in the developing phase of becoming an astounding garden of Celosia similar to that of Sirao's Garden in Cebu.  So, will it become Tanay's Little Amsterdam?  Well, time will tell...

Unlike before, campers may only pitch tents in designated areas.  Skyy the wanderer had a minor argument with the brother of "Super Mario" regarding the campsite, which was later on resolved... Newbie here :D  

Overall, it was a great moment during a starry night!  

Photos Taken

Cheers

Cheers

One of the evening highlights.  Flavor your own pasta.  Luisa prepared the Carbonara Carrascal and I was the one who made the Italian Pasta Ala Chua.  I used to cook a red sauce spiced with various herbs, mine is sour and spicy.  Not the typical Filipino styled pasta.  In the end, both were consumed.  Although I'm not sure if they just swallowed it out of starvation :o

The Celebrator.  Marupok no more! Happy Birthday!

At the view deck

Hey, brother of the legendary Super Mario... Come out!  Let us take pictures outside... yuhoooo... helloooo  #newbie

Our megaphone and cook

The newly constructed nipa hut of Tatay Cardo

Team Newbie

Moving Back

Along the trail, while descending

Lunch at Pico de Pino, after an hour of waiting for the arrival of a ride to Cogeo

Solved!

Top load.  See you later Manila!

Note
- There is now a 150 PHP camping fee per head for an overnight stay in Lambingan.
- There are now 2 available comfort rooms with an unlimited supply of water.

Worth Remembering (Moments and Thoughts to look back)
- Dapat talaga pag pupunta yung grupo nyo dito kayo lang - Nanay
- Sa susunod na pupunta kayo dito pagagawan ko kayo ng kubo dun sa baba, dun kayo mag ingay - Nanay
- Sino ba yung maingay kagabi? yung .... habang hinahawakan ang kaniyang nguso......- Nanay (si memz ang tinutukoy niya)
- Imbett on the wild
- Pasta party
- A night on high!
- The brother of Super Mario vs. Skyy the Wanderer
- Since nandyan na kayo alangan namang paalisin pa namin kayo? - Brother of Super Mario
- Technically, kung sino yung nagaya siya ang organizer - Brother of Super Mario
- Muka lang akong bata pero kaedaran ko na sila A***** - Brother of Super Mario (sino yun????)
- Eh di naman sikat na organizer si A***** ang dami ngang issue nun eh - Tel (nyahahhaha)
- NEWBIE NEWBIE NEWBIE NEWBIE
- Rolling on the hill!!! (nadulas naraman!)
- Skyy nga pala - Skyy (The historical shake hands?)
- Bayanihan while transfering the pitched tents to some other place down the hill
- Ang sarap ng spaghetti - Memz / Joward (in a sarcastic tone).  The next time that I will cook my pasta I will make it hotter!

Photo Credits to the owners


Related Blog

A Weekend in Tanay Version 3 (Part 2): The Hidden Mt. Lambingan

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Mt. Babatibat, Gorilla Peak, and Miyamit Falls 2 Days Actual Itinerary / Album // December 15 to 16, 2018

Mt. Babatibat – Miyamit Falls Actual 2 Days Itinerary

December 14, 2018 (Friday)

10:00 PM: meet-up Greenfield district

December 15, 2018 (Saturday)

12:45 AM: Departure Manila to Porac Pampanga.  Breakfast along the way and Acquisition of food supplies at Porac Market.

4:45 AM: Arrival jump-off, Villa Maria.  Kapitan House for registration

6:20 AM: Start Hike

8:30 AM: Base of Mt. Babatibat, Photo-ops, rest

9:30 AM: Gorilla Peak, lunch along the way

1:00 PM: Miyamit River, Rest and start of the river crossing

3:00 PM: Miyamit river, set-up camp, and socials

December 16, 2018 (Sunday)

5:30 AM: Wake-up call, preparation of breakfast

9:30 AM: Departure Miyamit falls to Sapang-Uwak

12:30 PM: Arrival Sapang-Uwak jump-off, wash-up, lunch, socials

4:30 PM: Departure to Greenfield District

7:30 PM: Arrival Greenfield District

Other Details

1. The guide fee is 500 PHP per day (additional 300 for their transportation expense back to Villa Maria if they will be guiding up to Sapang-Uwak).

2. Van cost us 8,500 PHP.

3. As of the writing, there is no registration fee (environmental, tourism) required to hike the mountain.  However, a hiker must register in the house of the chief.

4. The contact number of Kapitan: 0917-612-9126

5. Brace yourself for a trail which is abundant of thorny plants

6. This was a not-for-profit climb and documentation was only intended as a source of future references.

7. We would like to thanks Sir Jherry Guiao for providing us the contact of the point person.

Team and Major Roles

1. Luisa C. Asilum - Cook / Master Organizer
2. Michelle Skyy Valle - Cook / Deputy Master Organizer 
3. Khristine "Trix" Doza- Cook
4. Jake Christian S.A. Chua - Master Rear Pacer / Food Lover
5. Darwin R. Narte - Coordinator / Deputy Master Sweeper 
6. Jayvee Johnuel "Kakarot" Quijano - Master Pacer
7. Jay Chris Bondoc - Deputy Master Pacer
8. Carmelie "Bundok at Patag" Muyana - Deputy Master Rear Pacer
9. Ross Mark Laurence - Master Sweeper / Sisig Maker 

Some Photos Taken

Group picture before the hike

Still at the easy part...

Then suddenly, where's the right path?!

At the foot of Mt. Babatibat

Time to buy a new short?  I wonder if "momoland" was able to fix the mess 

Finding the Gorilla on an open trail.  One wrong move and you will surely have your gate pass to eternal rest 

The Gorilla Peak.  Oh! Wait a minute!  We were not informed that there are 2 peaks!  Which is which?!  Hi Darwin and thanks for your kind assistance to the slow pacers :D

Down to the River!  I can read your mind Darwin!  Darwin inner mind: "Tae ka! nakukuha mo pang magpicture ang bagal bagal mo bilisan mo dyan!".  Am I right? :P

After obtaining several slips in a trail bombarded of dead banana's trunks we finally reached the river.  Our guide said that from that point, it will only take around 20 minutes to reach the Miyamit Falls.  In the end, I found out that it was only a bluff!!!  :O

Crossing the river

TLS

Now show me that 20 minutes!

Mr. Sweeper

Blogger Pose

The campsite can accommodate 3 tents and 2 tarp shelter.  It's not ideal for a mass climb.  Good for us that we were the only group who climb that day

The night socials

The Miyamit Falls.  Photo-ops before traversing the Sapang-Uwak Trail

Take 5 in a mini store.  The sunflower trail of sapang uwak

Kakarot: "Dito nalang tayo bumawi ng picture"

The Long and Winding Road...

Post-climb dinner at Max's Starmall

Photo Credits to the owners

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A Weekend in Tanay Version 3 (Part 2): The Hidden Mt. Lambingan / Personal Journal / Album // March 10 to 11, 2018

When I woke up the following day, the 3 iron ladies were already preparing breakfast.  Upon checking the time, I knew that it was already late to go to Laiban.  We just decided to roam around Cuyambay, and started the walk at 8 am, leaving the Senpais in the resort, while they continued to party and celebrate the birthday of Joward.  

The Cooks 

The Iron Ladies, The Runner, and The Richest Tricycle Operator of Crocodile Stone

Morning Boodle Fight

Hammock Festival at Cuyambay

Joy Walk and Run

Tagopin Founders

Moving up the highway

We first went to the jump-off of Nagpatong Rock Formation and took the other path leading to barangay hall of Cuyambay.  

Jerico is indeed a fast runner.  We lost sight of him on the highway. Imbett was able to catch him near Cogeo.

Maricel joined our tour.  She was a classmate of Imbett during high school and college, and currently teaching at The University of Rizal System

In the event of violent struggles, their killing blows will save the day...

To the next stop

Department of Agriculture

Imbett toured us in his workplace, at the Rizal Agricultural Research and Experiment Station (RARES).  We had the chance to taste their organic cacao fruit and sweet tamarind.  

Cacao Fruit

Their variety is bigger than those at Mt. Sembrano

Newly harvested sweet tamarinds...

But the goddess smile is sweeter!

Under the tree

Mt. Lambingan
The highlight of our tour was a privately-owned secluded hill in Cuyambay.  Mang Ricardo Dela Sada, the caretaker, named it Mt. Lambingan, because the place is a usual hangout of lovers.  It is not open to the public, but, he allowed us to explored the area.  The trail is only light.  We were able to reach the summit after walking for 25 to 30 minutes.  At the top, there's an overlooking view of nearby hills and mountains, and the Laguna Bay from afar.  

Up there...

At the trail mark

Chicken Eggs

Almost there...

At the Summit... Our new hangout in Cuyambay

Rebelz, UGAT, Mga U!, Bagani, Team Tiki-Tiki and Tagopin.... whatever it is...

Jump Shot!

At the Mountain Swing

We started to move down at around 1 pm.  There is a waterfall located in the place, but we were already lack of time.  We will set another overnight climb this coming summer.

Fresh Coconuts.  Thanks Lolo Ricky!

The Cows of Tanay

Group Picture at the Resort

Bagani Pose

Tagopin Signature Stance (Thanks for your support guys!)

Back to Manila

At the back of the truck

Franzel: Where is the speaker?!!
John: There!  up there! Can you see it?

Worth Remembering (Memories and Thoughts to Look Back)
- It's over! It's over! It's over!!!- Memz (it's over na talaga!)
- Sino yun? kilala nyo yun?! - Memz and I
- Nablock ka rin sa FB? - Me
- The experience of Tatay and Nanay during Typhoon Ondoy
- Skyy and Ellie hate the taste of Anise Seed
- I forgot that Trix is not eating pork meat.  I used pork-based hotdog in our signature red sauce!
- The spectacular 360 degrees view on the top of Mt. Lambingan
- Where is Jerico? (Takbo pa more!)
- Sweet Tamarind and Cacao
- The organic Star Apple Fruits
- Ang nawalang speaker
- The naked Raymond in the pool (naagawan ng brief)
- Tulakan sa swimming pool
- Putris ka nandito ka naraman! - Nanay to me!
- Ano babaklasin na ba natin ung tarpaulin? - Nanay (wag po muna :P)
- Wala pa yung mga baboy na ibibigay daw - Nanay
- Gifts wrapped in banana leaves and newspapers
- Epic Failed! (alam na pala ni Joward na isasama ni Memo si Josephine :o)
- Tara mag FB live tayo - Trix (Eh di makapag fb live sa Mt. Lambingan)
- Fresh coconut juice
- Kaso wala siyang pingas - Me to Memz
- Gawin naman natin yung signature pose ni Jake - John (Tagopin!)
- Bagani!
- Inihaw na tuyo
- Chef Bimbi
- A plan to establish a coffee shop business with a twist
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Related Journals
A Weekend in Tanay Version 3 (Part 1): The Monkey King Turns a Year Older

Revisiting Lambingan Hills // January 5 to 6, 2019

Photo Credits to: Elie Magbanua, Johiro Lopez, Maricel Catada, Imbett Catambay, Michelle Valle (Skyy), and Khristine Doza (Trix)

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