Thursday, March 28, 2013

Mt. Gulugod Baboy & Aqua Venture Resort


The following Sunday after AKAC’s hike in Mt. Kalisungan, I accompanied the Peninsula Mountaineers on another fun hike to Mt. Gulugod Baboy in Mabini, Batangas.


Borrowing info from Pinoy Mountaineer, see below the technical data of this mountain:

MT. GULUGOD-BABOY
Anilao, Mabini, Batangas
Jump-off point: Philpan Dive Resort, Anilao, Mabini
LLA: 13°42'55"N; 120°53'43"E; 525 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half-day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-2
Features: Scenic views of Batangas Bay and Balayan Bay

The group left Makati at 4:00 am, then picked me up in Carmona Exit by 4:45 am. Early breakfast followed at McDonalds in Caltex station along SLEX, before parking at Philpan Dive Resort in Anilao, Mabini before 7:00 am.


Shortly after restroom break, preparing our gears, group prayer and stretching, we proceeded to the cemented road on the way to Gulugod Baboy. Even at that early hour, the variety store prior to the footpath is already open, where we bought cold buko (coconut) drink.


The trail is forested on the initial part, where we also passed by some houses selling drinks. We met other mountaineers on their descent after staying overnight on the campsite. After more than an hour, the nice views have started to unfold.




In less than 2 hours from the jump off point, we summitted Mt. Gulugod Baboy. The mountain got its name from the Filipino term translated as pig’s spine in English, owing to the contours of this mountain with many peaks.




Since the bald mountain sits on the southwestern edge of Batangas, surrounded by Batangas Bay and Maricaban Strait with Maricaban and Sombrero islands,  it allows the hikers to enjoy a 360-degree view of the seas and nearby mountains.



Very faint Mt. Maculot of Cuenca town, as seen on the north portion.


Neighboring mountains of Mt. Lobo and Mt. Daguldol from the east, as clouds reduced my camphone’s lighting. Laiya beach in San Juan Batangas is on the right side of the coastline.


The mountain’s peaks are like elevated playgrounds, so we can’t help but pose for some jumpshots.


A large group of UPLB students came after us, using the shorter Malimatoc trail on the other side. I would like to try that Malimatoc-Anilao traverse trail next time, hehe.


Sunlight started to display its ferocity by 10:00 am after our snack break, so we started our descent by that time. We arrived at Philpan parking area by 11:15 am, paid the P 20/head registration fee, before transferring to Aqua Venture Dive Resort with nice facilities.


Instead of P 550/head minimum consumable fee, we negotiated it to P 350/head, which includes the use of the resort’s facilities like swimming pool and restroom areas. As it was a Sunday and they have many guests, we availed their lunch buffet at P 400/head. The menu includes fish, beef, chicken, vegetable, and ice cream.


While waiting for our lunch food to be prepared, we just sat on their bar that face the sea, with sports channel shown on their flat screen television. Some of us ordered ice-cold beers that cost P 70/bottle, as a relaxing reward.


To escape the noon heat, some of us enjoyed a dip on the swimming pool after lunch. The cold water is free flowing from the mountain, no chlorine treatment necessary.

We left the resort by 4:00 pm, and I was back home before 6:00 pm. Total expense is less than P 1,000/head, including van rental, registration, breakfast, and lunch buffet. It was another nice and enjoyable hike with leisure activity with Peninsula Mountaineers.

To see my first Gulugod Baboy experience via public transport with AKAC members, click here
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