A Day in Kiangan, Ifugao

Right after a short funhike of Mt. Kapugan, we did a walking tour of Kiangan’s tourist spots. From the mountain’s jump off point, we followed the cemented road that encircled the mountain, that leads to one of their nice waterfalls.

 

We saw mini-rice terraces along the way.

Dayhike to Mt. Kapugan in Kiangan, Ifugao

After an early dinner in Banaue, we proceeded to Kiangan, Ifugao, to spend the night there. Its a historical town, being the oldest town in the province. The heart of Ifugao settlement and culture, it used to be the capital of the province, and also known as the surrender site of Gen. Yamashita at the end of World War II.

With sore legs and knees, I still joined the Team Mandirigma on a day hike to Mt. Kapugan, the town's highest point at 1305 MASL. After I bought hot pandesal from a store near Kiangan Youth Hostel where we stayed, 2 tricycles brought us to Mt. Kapugan's jump off point.

Mt. Napulauan to Hapao Rice Terraces

This is a very late post of my hike in Mt. Napulauan last October 2013. Prior to the hike, I only had a practice dayhike 2 weeks before, so I thought I'm in shape. But I was wrong. I'm not prepared enough to keep pace with the rest of the Team Mandirigma, where I was a guest climber. The mountain has this technical description from Pinoy Mountaineer:

MT. NAPULAUAN
Hungduan, Ifugao
Major jump-offs: Poblacion and Brgy. Hapao, Hungduan
LLA: 16°50′N, 121°10′E, 2642 MASL (#15; 1580m gain)
Hours to summit / Days required: 9 hours / 2-3 days
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 7/9, Trail class 3

Friday night, we rode a night trip bus from Sampaloc (Manila) to Banaue (Ifugao). After breakfast in the town, we bought our supplies for an overnight adventure.

Tour of Morong, Baras & Tanay in Rizal

I gave my mother a different tour experience last month, when she came for a 20-day vacation here. She doesn’t want long road trips, so I took her on a Morong-Baras-Tanay day tour of century-old churches and Daranak Falls.

St. Jerome Church of Morong

First built in 1586 with light materials, a fire destroyed it along with the town in 1612. Now this current church’s frontispiece and belfry were built by Bartolome Palatino of Paete, Laguna between 1850 and 1853. 

I have read on some internet sites that this church was unique in a sense that Chinese artisans helped in its construction. Whether its Mr. Palatino of Paete or Chinese artisans, I would say they did a superb job in creating those intricate carvings on the church’s facade.

Chicken Ma, Shangri-La, & King Chef Restos

Here’s a brief round up of Chinese casual restaurants I tried on latter part of 2013. I've been very busy, hence these late posts.

Chicken Mami House in Binan

Kikiam with rice at P 118, while the siopao costs P 64/pc.

Oplan Hatid: Stories of Typhoon Survivors

Days after Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan struck Leyte and Samar, Phil. and foreign military personnel started to bring the survivors to Manila, with at least 6 C130 planes landing in Villamor Air Base everyday. Then a few caring Manilans noticed that some evacuees are left on the streets, with no means to get to their relatives in Luzon. So this core group of Manilans started the Oplan Hatid (Operation Drop Off) campaign for volunteer motorists to help transport the evacuees to their safe havens.

 

I joined Oplan Hatid last Wednesday night, and continued for 5 more days/night until the night of 30 Nov. 2013. During those 8 trips I made, I heard a lot of stories from the survivors, as well as from fellow driver volunteers. When CNN stops reporting the plight of the typhoon victims, at least this post will remind us on the victims' ordeals.

Second Dayhike to Mt. Kalisungan

I miss hiking! So despite the busy work and social life, I was able to insert a dayhike in Mt. Kalisungan with my eldest son and nephew last month. This time, we did it DIY to avoid the P400 guide fee.

After registering at the Brgy. Lamot hall, I parked our vehicle in front of Mang Gideon's house, where we've also had our pancit snack and post-hike shower. Even the local guide suggested for me to park elsewhere, because of previous car-vandalizing complaints in the barangay hall, like what we've experienced before.

IsKarGu Restaurant in Calauan, Laguna

After our second dayhike in Mt. Kalisungan in Calauan/San Pablo area, we went to Kamayan sa Palaisdaan restaurant in Bay, Laguna. But they have so many customers, that even just calling the attention of waiters takes too long, so we decided to leave and try another restaurant.

From the Duck Junction of Victoria, we've seen this quaint restaurant along the highway, named Iskargu. It is actually an acronym for Isda (fish), Karne (meat), and Gulay (vegetable). I saw many vehicles parked on its frontage, so I think they must have been serving good food.

Aling Cora's, Weegol's, & Margie's of Butuan

Butuan City may have few tourist attractions, but they compensate that on nice food options. The city is like "Bacolod" in Mindanao, but on smaller scale. These are my reviews of the restaurants we tried, and my experience on their wet market.

Lutong Bahay ni Aling Cora

This "dampa-carinderia" style restaurant is just across Gaisano Mall along Jose Rosales Avenue. Customers can choose between cheap set meals, or raw seafoods that can be cooked any style. 

Their specialty is roasted chicken inasal style, seems well marinated, and a bit on the sweet side. Still, Aling Cora could do better for their signature dish, as it lacks its own identity. It is served with 2 cups of rice.

Prince Hotel in Butuan City

There are many inexpensive accommodations in Butuan City. En route from Surigao del Sur to Manila, we stayed for a night in VCDU Prince Hotel along South Montilla Boulevard. Perfect location as its along the route of Bachelor Bus, and just walking distance from McDonalds along Jose Aquino Avenue.

We were given a room on the fifth floor. The view is not so nice, but at least we get to see the downtown from our room, being one of the highest buildings in the city.

Historical Tour of Butuan City in Agusan

Right after arrival and heavy lunch in Butuan City, Wife and I started our historical tour of the city. We went first to the city's museum but it is closed for renovation. The guard directed us to visit the Balangay Shrine Museum instead.

Our contracted trike driver charged us P 120 for a round trip and waiting package to the Balangay Museum. He do not know its exact location, so he asked the locals in the Paradise subdivision how to get there.

Casa de Babano in Mangagoy, Bislig City

In Mangagoy, Bislig City, it seems that there are very few choices when it comes to accommodation. Based on the limited blog reviews and Trip Advisor, I chose to book in Casa de Babano through their Facebook account, as they don't have a website. They reply both on SMS (0926-7597277) and FB messages.

Their reception desk is simple, where guestroom monitoring is still done traditional style. The staff are helpful and friendly, in answering my various queries. A tourist map is posted on the lobby area for guests' reference.

Gail's, Casa Babano & Ocean View Restos

One good thing when traveling is we get to try the food in other areas. When outside of Metro Manila, the food are usually fresher and cheaper as well. Here are some of the food we tried in Bislig City, including those I found in the market.

Casa de Babano Coffee Shop

We were starving when we arrived at night on the pension house. For our dinner, we ordered a chicken barbecue, a pork sisig, and malasugui fish in sour soup.

Hinatuan Blue Hole / Enchanted River

Our third and final destination in Surigao sightseeing tour is the Hinatuan Enchanted River. From Hinayagan Cave, we traveled northeast to the coastal town of Hinatuan. We turned right from the highway junction to the barangay registration office. We paid Php 30 each, with official receipt that we have to present on the river entrance. 

Then we traveled 12 km more to Brgy. Talisay, first with wide cemented road which was followed by paved soil road. We've seen heavy equipments preparing the road to be cemented, so we hope it will improve the travel time and comfort of the visiting tourists. Riding from a habal habal, I was not able to take photos along the way.

Hinayagan Cave in Bislig City, Surigao

After lunch, we headed north to Hinayagan Cave in San Vicente, Bislig City. The cemented road became rocky, so its quite a pain in the butt for 20 minutes at the back of the habal habal ride. 

Our driver Jikjik doesn't know the jump off point to the cave from the road. Good thing that we stopped right near the jump off point, where a local old man reside nearby, and guided us to the cave. The jump off point is on the left side of the road, with a small nipa hut and signage.

Desperate Measures to Eradicate Corrupt Politicians

You may have heard of an old story when God created Earth. Just like the yin & yang, God is showing Archangel Michael that He is putting a balance on each country that he creates. There are both good and bad things in any place. In Europe for example, He made the people smart to start the Industrial Revolution, but He also gave them cold winters. In Middle East, it is very hot and barren, but He gave them crude oil.

Then Michael asked why Philippines seem perfect, with lots of natural resources, happy and smart people. Where is that "balance" here? God's reply to him -- "Wait until I give them their politicians".

Transparency International have included two past Filipino presidents (Marcos & Erap) on their list of 10 most corrupt leaders in 2004. I wonder if GMA will be included on their list on their latest update.

Majestic Tinuy-an Falls of Surigao Del Sur

Majestic. Grand. Overwhelming. Magnificent. Breath-taking.

These are just some of the adjectives I could use to describe the Tinuy-an Falls in Burboanan, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. You've got to see and feel the place personally to appreciate it!

From Mangagoy, the largest barangay in the country, we hired a habal-habal to take us first to Tinuy-an Falls. The barangay road is cemented and flat on initial part, where we crossed about 3 wooden bridges.

Caleruega Retreat Center and Sky Ranch

If you are tired of the usual attractions in Tagaytay, you can go further in Caleruega Retreat Center in Nasugbu (Batangas) after the Alfonso town. I've been to Mt. Batulao twice, but never got the chance to see the nearby Caleruega. Last July, I took my family and in-laws to this famous place for weddings and retreats.

Caleruega can be accessed by entering the Evercrest Golf Club (not operating anymore), just a few kilometers from the Nasugbu arc. But instead of going left to Mt. Batulao, we turned right on that fork in the road. Then its a downhill drive on mostly rough road. We paid entrance fees and parking fee, about Php 20-30 for each fee.

Preview of Cordillera's Rice Terraces

On our way back to Manila from Sagada, we chose the Ifugao-Nueva Vizcaya route instead of passing Baguio City. It was another zigzagging traverse of the Cordillera roads, with views of mountains and pine trees. Yet Halsema highway would not be included on the world's most dangerous highways, if not for ravines and rock/mud slides we've encountered on a rainy roadtrip.

Aside from various waterfalls which I have no opportunity to take good photos, we have also seen many rice terraces, where we made two stops along the way. The first one is at Bay-Yo Rice Terraces in Bontoc, Mountain Province above.

Spelunking on Lumiang & Sumaging Caves

Tired of the trails and views on top of the mountains? Going under the ground is a good break, to literally see what is beneath us. One of the major draws of Sagada is spelunking, or exploring its 3 interconnected caves. With 6 known entrance/exit points, Sagada caves are considered as the deepest caves in the country with lowest vertical drop of 163 m.

I booked a Lumiang-Sumaging cave connection tour which costs Php 400/head, minimum of 2 persons with a guide for every 5 clients. I thought that I would do the tour alone, but I was surprised that Mr. A from our seminar decided to join me. Our guide Joey (0919-2151096) is the VP of SAGGAS, one of the two guide associations in Sagada.