Batangas – The Hidden Panorama

Picture Frame : Sunset Sailing

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Picture Frame (Post#1) : Sunset Sailing

Sunset sceneries are common subject for photographers as it depicts different colours of the sky and it is the time of the day it influence photographers to be inspired to take shots of unique sky views. Most of the thinkers, philosophers, ideologist, artist and even common people used sunset scenery to think about life and the world around us. Sunset usually used as symbols of life of humanity which can refer to successes, accomplishments, achievements and even legacy of people, it also used to represent ages, time or end of someone or something. In other perspective, it means peace. Whatever sunset means to us whether its good or bad, we know that after dusk, the dawn will follow which symbolizes a new start.

What I liked about these photos are the boats passing under the sun and the red-orange colour of the sky. Looking at the photos, I feel the tranquility of the place and calmness of the moment. Photo is part of collections from summer outing in Canyon Cove at Nasugbu Batangas last March 2011.

Home : Canyon Cove

Home (Post#17) : Canyon Cove

As my country is an archipelago, and this means we were surrounded by islands and beaches. When we say beaches, for most Filipinos it means swimming excursion. Canyon Cove is just one of the beach that covers the edges of Nasugbu Bay in Batangas province. I had a chance to visit this cove through company outing and this was the place it was held last April 2011.

Precious Moment In The Mountain : Mount Maculot

Precious Moment In The Mountain (Post#13) : Mount Maculot

It was first freedom climb in my country and my mountaineering group has been assigned to Mount Maculot. Mount Maculot has rockies part where its overlooking are Taal Lake and Taal Vocano. During the climb, I discovered a panoramic view along the way and for me it is a breath-taking scenery. Photo captured last June 2009.

Home : Taal Lake and Taal Volcano

Home (Post#6) : Taal Lake and Taal Volcano

Taal Lake surrounds the Taal Volcano which located in Batangas province in my country Philippines. Taal Volcano is a volcano island which erupted a long time ago that resulted for its crater lake. I captured this photo after attending Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) last May 2009 at one of the restaurants overlooking in Tagaytay City, Cavite

Precious Moment In The Mountain : Gulugud Baboy Mountain

Precious Moment In The Mountain (Post#4) : Gulugud Baboy Mountain

Gulugud Baboy Mountain was the first mountain that I climbed in my country which located in Mabini in Batangas Philippines. Year 2008 was the year that I was reminded how I really love mountains. The climb was my first fun climb and second mountain that I trekked. Gulugud Baboy Mountain climb left so many memories for myself and for my group that I joined in. The trek happened last October 2008 and the snapshot was during the sunrise that we waited at the summit of the mountain.

Name Of The Place : Mount Maculot

Name Of The Place (Post#4) : Mount Maculot

The photo above was captured while we were on our way to climb Mount Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas in Philippines. The climb was the First Freedom Climb held in my country and Mount Maculot was assigned in our mountaineering group which happened last June 2009.

View At My Window : Big Ben Mall

View At My Window (Post#2) : Big Ben Mall

I captured this photo of Big Ben mall in Lipa City, Batangas in Philippines along Ayala Highway while inside the public jeep when we were on our way to Cuenca, Batangas for our Freedom Climb which happened in Mount Maculot last June 2009.

Remembering Gulugod-Baboy Mountain – My First Fun Climb

This story was written to remember my first fun climb since I joined the mountaineering group. Like what I said from previous blog a year ago, after my first and major climb, the next thing is fun climb…(well most of you will think, that is weird, you climb the major climb first then fun climb next?). Well, I am just telling the truth and nothing but the truth.

My first fun climb held in Mabini, Batangas last Oct 25 to 26 2008. And the lucky mountain we climbed was Gulugod-Baboy Mountain. As far as I remembered, the group met at 7/11 in Pasay,Rotonda where the bus to Batangas is stationed. We traveled by bus from Pasay, Rotonda until we reached Batangas City, then we rode jeep until we reached the jump-off area in Mabini, Batangas near Anilao.

The great thing about the jump-off area are the wonderful view that it offers. I saw some beach from the ground and the beautiful sea that seems no end.

Here are some seaside snapshots I had while staying at jump-off area.

While waiting for other member in the group that will join the fun climb, we took our lunch near the jump-off area. While having lunch, rain fell. And since rain fell, this means, the trail will be muddy or slippery. But rain will not be the reason to stop mountaineers to go for the climb.

For this climb I met other members of the group and honestly to tell you, I have so much fun meeting them and it’s really great to know them.

As much as I remember, on this first fun climb, I experienced new things about climbing. Comparing my first and major climb to this climb, I realized that it’s not good to compare it, because each mountain have their own uniqueness, have their own features and challenges. My experiences when I climbed Mount Kinabalu were far way different when I climb Gulugod-Baboy Mountain.

For the photo above, I capture some part of the area where the rain already falling…

See the heavy clouds?

Here are the views that can be found while climbing Gulugod-Baboy Mountain.

These are also the photos that the sky seems to be unfriendly for the mountaineers

because it means one thing…its going to rain (we are lucky, the rain is in far from us)

Gulugod Baboy Mountain is just small mountain (has 500+ masl altitude) compared to Mount Kinabalu (with more than 4000+ masl). I cannot forget my experience while trekking this mountain. First we took the semi-steep small road which partially cemented that time, then we rested few minutes before taking the rough trail. For this climb, I will remember when the only thing I can hold on to were just grass leaves that I don’t know if these leaves can handle my weight. There were many times that I slipped away because the track were muddy. It’s just a good thing that my trekking pole was there to helped me. We passed grasses even taller than me.

When I reached the top, the feelings were wonderful and the amazing view from top was worth to see after such exhausted climb in few hours.

Here are the afternoon before sunset views I caught after reaching the camp

near the summit of the mountain

After reaching the top of the mountain near the summit, we also had a chance to witness the sunset view. With this kind of seeing sun is slowly hiding itself to people, the feeling so ecstatic. Sometimes you will think, how world is so fascinating with just having that moment.

Sunset Views

This first fun climb was also the first night having a great time with the group. I got a chance to get to know them for real. The group called it “Socials” where some secrets revealed, some information gave away either by just telling it through jokes or even in a serious way. There were lots of fun and laughter that made me feel that night will not be over. In that social activities with the group, I also had a chance to introduce myself to the group and my reasons why I like to climb.

This is the famous lonely tree branch – a significant mark used as a proof commonly

by mountaineers as evidence that they reached Gulugod-Baboy Mountain.

Here is the summit of the mountain – where my group made their important jump shots

Its getting dark ..

Even the group had so much fun over the night for social activities, everyone still able to wake up to witness the sunrise from the summit. And I am one of them who trek the trail to summit immediately to glimpse the sunrise for a moment.