Philippines – The Hidden Panorama

Tips in Trekking Mount Pinatubo

I am not expert adviser when it comes to climbing or hiking mountain since I am a seasonal hiker. But the following tips that I listed below are the things that I wanted to share if anyone wanted to climb Mount Pinatubo. The list are not comprehensive but I hope it helps even in a small way. My adventure in the mountain fully described here.

I recommend to hike the mountain during cold months, we had it first week of January. Don’t go during rainy season and if there is heavy rains. Tourism will not allowed you to do so, but if warnings is ignored, you know what’s possible thing can happen.
If you are really on a budget and do not want to sleep in accommodation before the trek the next morning, travel to jump-off area which located in Barangay Sta. Juliana in Capas around 6:00 AM in the morning.
Start the climb early to be able to finished the day trek as early as possible.
During registration they will ask your age so tell them the true information as the tourism center required to checked your BP (blood pressure) once you registered for the hike and please follow their advise if you are allowed or not allowed to climb the mountain.
Bring sun glass and mask to be used during the river bed drive as it is dusty along the road because of combination of dried lahar and sands.
Bring enough water and food (at that time, our tour guide just brought our packed-lunch and bottled water).
Wear comfortable shoes that can go wet or under the water as there are astray river pathways along the walking trail and it helps for faster walking and trekking.
It is not allowed now to swim in the Crater Lake, it was prohibited so follow the announcement.
The general rule of the mountains applies even in Mount Pinatubo – “Take Nothing but Pictures, Leave Nothing but Footprints, Kill Nothing but Time”.

Notes:

Plan to climb Mount Pinatubo?

I cannot recommend specific website for the official information of climbing Mount Pinatubo. But this link (I am not affiliated on this site) I found the information as useful for additional details.

Accommodation:

We stayed at Bognot Lodge (Look for Alvin) and they helped as well to arrange our climb at Mount Pinatubo. You can search this and you can find them in AirBnb and Tripadvisor websites.

Public Transportation :

From anywhere in Metro Manila, go to Five Star Bus Terminal in Cubao (or other bus terminal) and take bus going to any of the following : Vigan, Baguio, Alaminos or Bolinao. Next, get off at Capas Junction in Tarlac. Then, take tricycle to Sta. Juliana (P300/tricycle) and get off at Mount Pinatubo jump-off (we get off at Bognot Lodge).

Trekking Mount Pinatubo – A Tragic Creation of Natural Attractions

It was year 1991 when Mount Pinatubo erupted and categorized as an active volcano. The tragedy happened at my young age where I witness ed in the news how this volcano created sufferings to my fellow countrymen specially to those who lived in the surrounding areas of the mountain. I remembered that a lot of people died and lost their homes because of heavy ashes and lahar flowing in rivers coming from the volcano. It’s been decades that people lived nearby suffers every year specifically during rainy season.

After decades or more, the crater lake of this active volcano started to be noticed by hikers and adventurers. I had seen photos and blogs in the past years from whom climbed the mountain and whom reached the stunning crater lake. Every time I see the crater lake of Mount Pinatubo in photos, it reminds me the lakes that I saw in Banff, Alberta Canada. I started to dream to climb the mountain and wanted to reach the crater lake but the opportunity was elusive for me in a time being.

This year 2017, last January 4, my dream has been fulfilled. After more than two decades of tragic eruption of the volcano. My friend from USA invited me to join climbing Mount Pinatubo. The schedule was weekdays and I never hesitated to accept the invite and I immediately filed my vacation leave.

After my work on January 3, Tuesday night, I reached the Five Star Bus Terminal in Cubao few minutes before 12AM. I was lucky because there was a bus leaving the terminal within 10 minutes. I took bus that goes to Bolinao (any bus goes to Vigan, Baguio, Alaminos or Bolinao will pass Capas Junction). I traveled alone, I was tempted to sleep but I never slept because I don’t want to miss the junction that I need to get-off. Its midnight and first week of January, my travel to Capas Junction was smooth and I arrived almost 2AM. From Capas Junction, I took tricycle to Sta. Juliana. I thought the travel will just few minutes, I was wrong and with the price of P300, it’s not just far, but really far. As I traveled early in the morning, I felt the cold wind that passed through my skin and I had been in that situation for 30 minutes. At last I reached Bognot Lodge accommodation where my friends are staying. My friend Nits woke-up and able to meet me outside.

I had 2 hours of sleep. We were three together, myself, Nits and new friend Marisa. All of us are first timer in climbing Mount Pinatubo. We started preparing ourselves past 5AM and had our breakfast. Because it’s not yet peak season, we were allowed our stuff to remain in the room where we stayed over night. Then, took 4X4 jeep and we went to Municipal Tourist Satellite Office where Nits and Marisa required to check their blood pressure before the climb, the result are good and were all set.

The adventure begun past 7AM and we rode again 4X4 vehicle. We were advised that we will drive the ground for an hour. On the way, the first thing that I saw was plain white and dusty ground. The ground that we were driving on was lahar that flowed in the river before that has been cemented through times. We never expected to see beautiful and unique spots along the way that adds enjoyment in our jumpy ride.

Before we reached the jump-off area around 9AM, where the long walk starts, I realized and understand why there is a need for 4X4 vehicle. I was thankful because it helped a lot of people who wanted to climb the mountain. Our jumped-off area was farther than the original jumped-off few years back. As per our guide and driver, the jump-off are before was near the climbing trail to crater lake but now it was not because of the effect brought by heavy rains and typhoons. According to the signs of I saw, we have to walk of 7km to reached the climbing trail.

We reached the jump-off area and it means that we reached the start of our long walk adventure. I figured out that the track that our 4X4 jeep and the trail that we took for a walk is actually a river pathways, it means that during rainy season, it is not safe to climb the mountain, the tourism office will not allow you to do so.

During the whole trek, we had guide and we’re thankful to him as I survived without soaking my feet under the water as too many strayed waterways along the way and he kept assisting us (I recommend to wear sandals and shoes that can go wet).

The walk was not an easy feat. Because the track is not as simple as plain road. The track was where lahar flows and become a solid ground. There are big and small rocks all over the place which need careful attention. We reached the half of the trail and station where there’s toilet and water, where people can rest.

Our treacherous walk continues, as we come nearer the climb trail, bigger rocks and boulders are to be found and walk become more difficult. We reached another station where there is haven for resting and toilets too. It is the station where the climb begins. At the station we saw a notification where it categorize people’s age how long the climb will be before reaching the crater lake. All the three of us jokes ourselves where we belong in the category list, whether we belong in young, middle age or senior.

We rested a bit in the station and then started the climb. I don’t have options to avoid my shoes to get wet because the trail is smaller and narrower where water stream flows too. We took stairs to reach the viewpoint of the crater lake. When we reached sightseeing view of the lake, all my fatigued that I felt along the way immediately gone as I saw up close the fascinating crater lake of Mount Pinatubo. We had our lunch inside the crater and went near the lake to enjoy the amazing views in front of us and to have our photos. After an hour of enjoying in the crater lake view, we decided to go back to finish our adventure.

Travel Diary 101 : On My Way to Guam

I experienced a bit of traffic on my way to Manila International Airport Terminal 3 around 12:30 AM of Sunday morning but after struggling for 30 minutes of slow movement in specific part of Aguinaldo Highway, the overall travel was smooth and I was thankful for it.

I arrived at the airport around 1:30AM, I found lots of passenger in the terminal, probably thinking the same thing I was thinking, many people trying to avoid travel rush for the Holy Week which is a major holiday in the country as it is used to have long holiday aside from Christmas.

I checked the information in the monitor screen that I passed on my way to travel tax desks. After I saw the check-in counter information, I queued and paid my travel tax and walked towards the entrance of my check-in counter. Because of too many people, I fall in line in the queue thinking that it was the same line to enter the check-in counter for my flight. That decision was based from my past flights in that airline. The said airline tends to make one line for all their flights regardless of your destination and time of your flight. I didn’t notice if there was sign that separates Guam flights to the rest of their flights.

I got nervous because the queue for check-in was crazy, it even passed the whole counter area. But I had some doubts because I have this impression that US flights will not have that many passengers compared with other flights. I went to the entrance of the counters and I asked the airline crew for check-in counter of Guam flight. The crew confirmed my suspicion that queue for Guam is different. I wasn’t able to see the sign immediately because it was partially obstructed by people queuing near the entrance. I felt relieved and was glad that it’s at the opposite side. I showed my printed flight itinerary to the crew and she allowed me to go inside the counter area and queued along with few other passengers. I queued for few minutes and it was my turn to check-in, the process was finished without a hitch. Since it was still early, I spent hours waiting at the boarding gate.

Then boarding time came and I followed other passengers to board the plane. Inside the plane, I was sitting in window seat and alone in 3 seat row at left side of the plane and there was another passenger at the right side window seat, same with me alone at his row. The flight in overall was smooth except for sometime that I felt a turbulence outside the plane. I napped from time to time since I didn’t have enough sleep before my flight. I woke up and saw my meal has already been served.

After more than 4 hours flight, we arrived at the island which is a USA territory not really far from my country at the right most side in the Pacific Ocean. After disembarking the plane, I walked straight to immigration and queued the visitors lane. My lane was slow since it’s only one officer assisting us at first. When all USA residents passed immigration, visitors lanes moves faster as other immigration officer helped out until I reached my time to face one of them. I had my face captured, my finger print recorded and after few questions, I passed the immigration without glitch.

First thing to learn when I went outside the airport was the transportation was not immediately available as most likely other passengers went out before me took all those waiting cab outside. I walked to the taxi kiosk’s counter near the entrance/exit of the airport but it was closed. I tried to enable my data roaming and started browsing but nothing happens like no internet in my phone. It’s good thing that they have some employees in the ground and someone asked me if I need a cab and I responded in agreement.

I waited only few minutes, the cab arrived and I jumped into it. I was very thankful that he was a Filipino and we talked at bit on the way to my hotel. The fare was $18. We arrived in the hotel that I booked around past lunch time. I asked the hotel clerk if I can check-in at the time that I arrived but the hotel clerk said it will be at 2 PM. I asked the hotel if the pocket WiFi that I rented in Guam has arrived in the hotel and I was glad that it was already there. After I received the pocket WiFi, I used it to browse where can I go while in Guam. So technically I was browsing internet at the hotel lobby while waiting for my time to check-in.

After I checked-in to my room. I stayed there to prepare my adventure plan in the island for the next coming days. I decided to rest since I haven’t had enough sleep the night of my travel. I had my dinner to fill me in and down to bed with my first day in Guam.

Until then.

Abeling Tribe Outreach and Mount Tangisan Side Trip Climb

The mountaineering group that I belong did a lot of adventures, trips and climbs. Some were in abroad but mostly were within our beloved country. This group gave me a chance to see a lot of places, unforgettable and unique experiences.

Another type of adventure that the group involved with are doing outreach activity mostly to remote places. The group does it regularly, at least twice a year for the past recent years, which gives us a chance to give back something to community.

One of the outreach activity that I got a chance to join was the event held last June 30 – July 1 2012. The group selected a school in a remote community which located in the middle of vast farmlands in Tarlac. The event held in Sitio San Pedro Elementary School, Barangay Iba in San Jose, Tarlac.

I knew it’s been a long time when it happened, it was more than 4 years had passed but I still remember a bit something about it.

In every travel that I did with the mountaineering group I belong to, I usually join them. I never really got involved in planning. Honestly when roaming around my own country, I was not really good at it. The planning of itineraries are far more difficult compared to other countries. The planning does not only involve a research, it involved communication to people, groups or even individuals. It requires network and connections to different people.

We traveled to the designated place of outreach. From Metro Manila, we took NLEX (North Luzon Expressway), followed by SCTEX (Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway). Then we exit at Luisita Access Road.

One of the thing that I cannot forget in this event was when we were on our way to Barangay Iba. We traveled a bit in a rough road and we took some rough roads in the middle of the farm (not a typical or common concrete road). For me it was an experience because I never really been inside the vehicle in middle of the farm. Yes, I saw farms or rice fields almost all around me, but never really drove in the middle of it. After a while, we reached a small community, the Abeling Tribe one of the indigenous community in my country where the school located which we planned to visit. I was surprised because I never thought that there was such community in the middle of rice fields. Most of the time, communities are near in main roads or local roads.

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Outreach Event Photos (Photos are not mine, photos courtesy of SMB Mountaineering Group)

Every time the group does its outreach activity, the group usually prepares before the big day. The group does ocular to see the school and the people whom we will collaborate the event. Next, we solicit to friends, colleagues and some corporations for some voluntary funds which within the network of all members of the mountaineering group. Then, all the funds we received were audited as the mountaineering group is non-profit group. Everything is transparent to all members specially when we do this kind of activity. Finally, the group prepares activities for the outreach. In the planning, it involves creation of games and entertainments for children. It will follow by providing food and giving school supplies. We also provided equipment that the school basically needs such as speakers or generators.

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Outreach Event Photos (Photos are not mine, photos courtesy of SMB Mountaineering Group)

With these experiences with children that lives in provinces specially in remote places and all of them usually lives in poverty, during outreach, it feels something special part in my life. Sometimes I am thinking if there’s still better way to help them aside from what we were already doing. Then, somehow there’s sadness that I felt too because children in the city lives comfortably while the children we visited lives in frugality. But, I knew as well that’s the reality of life of communities that outside the major cities in my country. And the outreach activities that we did may not really address the problem but at least it alleviates some of the gaps that the government should be doing.

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Outreach Event Photos (Photos are not mine, photos courtesy of SMB Mountaineering Group)

The next day, the group did a side trip activity which climbing the mountain just beside the community that we visited. The mountain we climbed was Mount Tangisan with an altitude of around 490 masl (meters above sea level).

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Climb Event Photos (Photos are not mine, photos courtesy of SMB Mountaineering Group)

What I like about this mountain? First thing was its trail (not too difficult), next was its altitude (just enough to see views from the ground), third was its location (located in open space) and finally the scenery at the top or the summit surrounded by farmlands.

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Climb Event Photos (Photos are not mine, photos courtesy of SMB Mountaineering Group)

I really enjoyed the activities that includes both of outreach and nature adventure, I felt both alive. It is one of the contentment that I treasure in my life.

Abeling Tribe Outreach and Mount Tangisan Side Trip Climb

Photos that I captured while at the summit of Mount Tangisan

Home : Tabunan Beach

Home (Post#25) : Tabunan Beach

Last year of my travel in the island where my family roots begun, I had a quick visit and a bit of walk in Tabunan Beach at Banton Island in Romblon province. Above photo is just one of my collection during my walking tour along the beach. The beach is located at the western side of the Island in Yabawon where my uncle Napo lives. Photo captured last March 2015.

Juncture With Folk(s) : At Silanguin Beach

Juncture With Folk(s) (Post#3) : At Silanguin Beach

Summer Season is the period that most of Filipinos got a chance to go to beaches and because my country home is an archipelago and surrounded by body of water, there are lots of beaches available in the country that we can adore and enjoy. Last March this year (2016), I got a chance to join the mountaineering group that I was affiliated with and this year’s summer season I was able to be with them after such a long time. It’s been 6 summer seasons that I never joined them because I was out of the country and for other scheduling conflict reasons. I was glad that this year I was able to go with them once again.

Colors : Tent City Area – Ciudad de Victoria

Colors (Post #3) – Tent City Area – Ciudad de Victoria

When my family decided to celebrate the New Year’s Eve at Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue Bulacan where the biggest dome-arena in the world is located which is Philippine Arena, at the time of celebration there were Tent City area that surrounds the place. The photo above was just one of them. This photo captured last December 30, 2014.

Home : Pandin Lake

Home (Post#24) : Pandin Lake

Pandin Lake is one of the Twin Lake (other lake is Yambo Lake) that can be found in San Pablo City in Laguna province in my country Philippines. This lake is also included in what currently they call Seven Lakes of Laguna (or Seven Lakes of San Pablo). The said lake is one of the volcanic crater wherein according to Wikipedia that it means circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity. It is typically a basin, circular in form within which occurs a vent (or vents) from which magma erupts as gases, lava, and ejecta.

This photo is part of my photo collection of Lakes in Laguna and which captured last Sept 2011 during the unplanned trip with few of my fellow mountaineering group.

Note: This post has been updated to add the link of and to participate in Blue Monday – February 15, 2016, Watery Wednesday, Water World Wednesday and Outdoor Wednesday – February 17, 2016

Chromatic Outlook : Mortar M120 (USA) At Relics Point

Chromatic Outlook (Post#24) : Mortar M120 (USA) At Relics Point

Mortar M120 is one of the World War II archived weapon that can be found displayed in Relics Point inside Philippine Military Academy. As mentioned in the excerpt in the photo, the weapon was used against the invading Japanese imperial army. Photo captured during the trip in Baguio City last May 2010.

Home : Mount Banahaw and Lucena Port

Home (Post#23) : Mount Banahaw and Lucena Port

Mount Banahaw is currently in restoration period since 2004 that’s why it is prohibited for any climbing related activities though there are still few breaks it. When I saw it while at the summit of Mount Banahaw it become notable for me, I fell in love with it further every time I pass Maharlika Highway (Pan-Philippine Highway) and when I visited my home in Visayas through Lucena Port in Quezon province, I witnessed how it was majestic from a far. Photo captured last March 2015.

Panoramic View : Mount Arayat Summit

Panoramic View (Post#23) : Mount Arayat Summit

When my mountaineering group held a school outreach for the students in Sitio San Pedro Elementary School in San Jose Tarlac last July 2012, one of our side trip adventure was to climb Mount Tangisan. And from the summit of the mountain another noticeable mountain can be seen from afar and it was none other than Mount Arayat. This is the first mountain that people see while traveling along North Luzon Expressway coming from Metro Manila.

Through My Lens – Aug 08, 2016
Our World Tuesday – Aug 09, 2016
Travel Tuesday – Aug 09, 2016
Outdoor Wednesday – Aug 10, 2016
Wednesday Around The World – Aug 10, 2016
Skywatch Friday – Aug 12, 2016
Scenic Weekends – Aug 12, 2016
In Heaven – Aug 13, 2016

Reflections, Inspirations and Perceptions : Cemetery of Negativism in Focus

Reflections, Inspirations and Perceptions (Post#1) : Cemetery of Negativism in Focus

One of the photos on this had been published under the category of photo theme “Something To Look At” post which can be found here. This time, I will further elaborate the details of the cemetery based on my thoughts opinion and my understanding. Maybe the idea is not the whole worlds truth but it’s my truth.

It is interesting that someone had thought about creating a cemetery of negativism. Even though the idea was came from American soldier (Commander Major John Hightower), his thoughts through humour are still something to ponder. When I saw the name of the cemetery, at first I was curious and then I walked further if I can see more. Then I found different tablet inscriptions and to my surprise there are more ideas engraved in the tablet.

Here are the following inscribe thoughts about negativity.

1. BOSS WONT LETTUCE
A GREAT IDEA – 22 MAY 1907
HILTED 1 SEPT. 1909

This kind of thought usually happens when we tried to put our selves in our boss shoes based on his/her character that we thought we know. This also occurred when we knew that there are confidence issues in the (our) idea or in the (our) capacity to accomplish things.

2. HOSPITAL
DOANNA SET A PRECEDENT
HIS PASSING WAS THAT OF A PRECEDENT

I really like this idea. Because most us of are afraid of failures, we are looking of something as basis through example, model, rules or standards that we can use so we are not solely to blame in the future. A very nice tactic to use to justify ourselves when we compromise.

3. KANTDU NUTHIN WRIGHT
BORN DEC 5, 1905 DIED JUNE 14, 1903

This is also a confidence and trust issues. Thoughts like this only hold on to proven success. Failures are thought only as wrong things where in fact it has positive effect based on the way we perceived things. It’s not only victory or triumph teach us something even failure as well.

4. IMN ONLY CHILE
BORN 27 MARCH 1908
DIED BEFORE HIS BROTHER

This one is used for a reasoning of doing inferior things. When we had done it, we are trying to escape to be accountable on something that is not right. Or we are trying to deny the responsibility being assigned to us even we haven’t started yet to prove what we can.

5. JUST KANT SHAKIT
BORN 5 OCT 1919
DIED OF PASSIVITY 20 MAY 1913

This is the kind of thought when we started doing something and we can’t finish it because of so many reason, whether we don’t like what we’re doing or can’t finish it on time. It also symbolises the level of our hope of achieving things.

6. EYE FORE GOT
BORN HUMBLY DIED SOMETIME

A very senseless justification for not able to do things irregardless of reasons. We are aware of our jobs and responsibilities and the thought above is weightless of making out of it.

7. A TRUELY MISERABLEDAY
BORN IN GLOOM

LIVED WITHOUT BLOOM

BURIED IN THIS TOMB

Never thought about good things. The whole mind clouded of bad things and never realised there’s always of a window for second chance. It’s similar to loosing hope perception.

8. WHY DIDENT I?
BORN ????
LIVED WONDERING WHY
DIED FOR NO REASON

This thought is something of not taking chances because of some reasons. And this usually happens when the opportunity has been lost. Well take the chance again when it comes, if it will come again, right? You know for yourself the probability of chances that it will come.

9. KNOT A TEEMPLAER
BORN A STAR
LIVED A METEOR
DIED IN FLAMES

This thought is looking too much on perfection and having inferiority complex leads to this. But to be honest, perfection always starts from simple one, perfection always requires time and devotion so do no used it as escape goat for not doing great things.

10. WONT B. USED
STARTED: 10 DECEMBER 1906
ABANDONED: 14 DECEMBER 1906

Predicting or analysing too much of things that will happen in the future is really an activity that used so much energy. Future is beyond our control but we can affect whats in front of us right now.

11. ITZ NOT POSSIBLE
CONCEIVED 11 NOV, 1905
STILL NOT BORN

Most of the inventions that people made in our time had struggle of impossibility but looking around in our world, we are living in modern time because a lot of the inventors breakaway that thought. Without trying we will not achieve anything and for me, there is no harm of trying unless we are really lazy to do it.

12. KNOW DAM WAY
CONCEIVED NEW YEARS EVE
DIDN’T WORKOUT

Thinking about disappointing when it comes to result, we can only guess what can happen in the outcome of the thing we do, we may influence the result but we cannot tell what is going to happen.

13. UHAFTO OR ELSE
BORN OF INTIMIDATION
LIVED IN RESENTMENT
DIED WITHOUT FAME

Doing things because we have no choice or because we are forced to is one way of implying that there is no really choice which is wrong. In everything there is always a choice. Reasoning something like that is one way of showing we are afraid of something. This happens to everyone I am not excluding myself.

14. LETZ STUDY IT
DELAYED BIRTH
STEP CHILDHOOD
NEVER REACHED MATURITY

Not knowing of things is not really enough point of argument to not doing things. Sometimes discovery happens from accident. Making reasons of not know is not justified. Being resourceful is better.

15. WILL NOT LAST
BORN 3 JUNE 1906
AND DIDN’T

This is the same of not having trust or confidence on someone or something. Having faith on something is really propounding but faith alone is not enough, something must be done and not just waiting.

16. BLAME ME WILL YA
ADOPTED 4 JULY 1911
RETURNED 5 JULY 1911

The thought above is usually used to end discussion or argument and sometimes the start of fight or understanding. Taking responsibility like this way is not really enough, it has to be clear how to make things right.

THE LOST CEMETERY

The wisdom of negativity and whom it came from.

All the photos above are part of Camp John Hay collection during the visit in Baguio City in the province of Benguet Philippines last May 2010.

Picture Frame : Sunset Sailing

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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.

Something To Look At : Jack’s Ridge

Something To Look At (Post#3) : Jack’s Ridge

Jack’s Ridge is located at Shrine Hill in Matina, Davao City. The place was the last stand of Japanese in Davao during their invasion time in Philippines. American soldier successfully won over Japanese and retreat on this place after they lost the fight. I like the area because there are lots of restaurants around it and the place is great for Davao Gulf lookout view. Photo captured last March 2009.

Home : Capones Lighthouse

Home (Post#22) : Capones Lighthouse

During summer of 2009 (March 2009), the mountaineering group where I belong used to schedule summer adventure every year and that year was quite a lot. One of the itinerary we had that time was Capones Island where historical lighthouse built. It was historical because it is one of the oldest light station exist in my country. It was first lit last August 1, 1890. The light station still active until today and its lenses has been replaced, but the sad things about it is its surrounding area was left ruined and as far as I know it still the same as of this writing. We took a boat to reach Capones Island to visit this historical site from Anawangin in San Antonio Zambales.

Enriching Viewpoint : Camp John Hay – Historical Figures Totem Pole

Enriching Viewpoint (Post#2) : Camp John Hay – Historical Figures Totem Pole

The Totem Pole consist of historical figures which has influence or roles for Philippines and US military relations which happened during the first half of 20th Century. We found this totem just beside the Bell House which was a historical site within Camp John Hay in Baguio City. Photo snapshots last May 2010.

From the excerpts beside the totem the following information are found regarding the faces in the totem from top to bottom:

1. Admiral George Dewey whom led Battle of Manila Bay
2. General Emilio Aguinaldo was the first President of Republic of the Philippines
3. President William Howard Taft whom the first governor-general of the Philippines and later the Secretary of War who took great interest in the development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay
4. Secretary John Hay was Secretary of State when the Philippines became of colony of the United States. He died as the construction of the camp named in his honour went into full gear.
5. William Cameron Forbes was a governor-general of the Philippines who is credited with the development of Baguio City
6. President Theodore Roosevelt signed the order that designed 535 acres as the military reservation that became Camp John Hay.
7. Major General Franklin Bell was commander of the Philippine department and designer of Italian Garden as well as Bell House and Amphitheater.
8. Lt Col Lyman W. Kennon oversaw the completion of the road that facilitated the construction and development of Baguio City and Camp John Hay which just so happens to be named Kennon Road.
9. Mayor James Halsema was the last American mayor of Baguio City.
10. General Douglas MacAuthur was the famous liberator of the Philippines during WWII.

Something To Look At : Worth Of A Tree

Something To Look At (Post#2) : Worth Of A Tree

When I visited Eden Nature Park in Toril Davao City last March 2009, while walking around in a nature park, I saw this message which at first I did not care what it says until something buried in my memory which is the word ‘worth’ and numbers which I thought like an amount of money. With that in mind, I approach the message board and look at it in detail. As I read it, I felt surprise and stunned because I never realised the actual worth of a tree in terms of money. Yes, I knew a tree is important in terms of ecological balance and it’s other significant uses, but to understand or measure it by amount of money, I never really thought about it. For me the message is really a profounding wisdom.

Home : Maquinit Hotspring

Home (Post#21) : Maquinit Hotspring

When we traveled to Coron, one of the first place we visited as part of our 3 days and 2 nights trip to Coron was to take a bath in Maqunit Hotspring. I will not forget this place because it was the hot spring wherein my underwater camera started to malfunction simply because we use it in the hot spring (well we forgot that it was sensitive in temperature, we thought it will survive in the condition of that hot spring). We had great time relaxing our selves after our flight from Manila to Busuanga. The moment captured last August 2013.

Something To Look At : The Lost Cemetery

Something To Look At (Post#1): The Lost Cemetery

When we visited Camp John Hay in Baguio last May 2010, we found an interesting area. It is called “The Lost Cemetery”, the quotation mentioned in the photo was came from Commander Major John Hightower. While looking in its message, I think everyone has been guilty even myself because there were times that I think negative stuff even before things happened. Sometimes Negativism were used as our excuses to justify not to do things that we must do and it also the reason why we fail on things that we wanted to succeed. It reminded me, how powerful our minds that even it affects the outcome of what we were trying to achieve. The message is really profounding that must be always remember as guide in our lives.

Home : Kinabuhayan River

Home (Post#20) : Kinabuhayan River

When we climbed Mount Cristobal as part of our preparation training for Mount Apo climb, another place near in the mountain that our group visited was Kinabuhayan River which can be found within Barangay Kinabuhayan in Dolores Quezon. We stopped here to rest and to enjoy the river. Photo captured last February 2009.