30th Masskara Festival

Mt Pinatubo with AMCI Batch 2k6

JAMCI 2007

Kibungan

Malabrigo Point

Malabrigo Lighthouse

Lobo, Batangas

Sept 15 2007

Anawangin, Zambales

Anawangin photos

Mt Kibungan Sept 22-24 2006

They said it was a pretty cool mountain. When i saw pictures of it, i had to go. This was a Training Climb (TC4) for the 2006 BMC trainees where I am training director. I wanted this to be TC3 so more members could join. AMCI board thought otherwise, They preferred Ugo. How many times have these people gone to Ugo? And how many more times will they do that again?

No offense to TB. Mt Ugo is a pretty cool mountain. In fact this was the first mountain i had climbed, ever. And i knew nothing about the sport. I joined a photographer friend who was already climbing with the PNB mountaineers. Of course, being new at this, i brought more photo equipment then mountaineering. It was an experience.

Now, Kibungan is different. Walls here and there. Steps. Steps carved off the rocks. Rope handrails were there for climbers to hold on to. One wrong step could cause a fatality.

I had volunteered to be sweeper. In my group were Paulo & Joyce. Aries and Aileen joined us, although they were just trainees then. They had completed the 3 required training climbs but i was able to convince them to join this.

Day three, everyone had packed up and began the day's trek. I decided to stay for a little while longer. me and my group, that is. We went over to a cliff overlooking a very large portion of the mountain range. They called it the view deck. Very appropriate, since you could see everything from here. Even the group who started trek an hour earlier.

There was no pressure at all on this climb. Everybody was doing well. The team's pace was fine. Something everybody looks for from the regular city life. Thats why i climb.

Care for some Roti?

Care for some Roti?

Twelve midnight and i'm sitting in my hotel room watching TV. I had been window shopping all evening and had forgotten about dinner. Looking out of my hotel window, the lights of the streets have not died down. So i figured i'd go down and look for a quiet place to eat. I've tasted the chinese food at Jalan Alor. I wanted to try something else. Walking down Jalan Pudu, i find a local restoran and have some chicken fried rice and a cold tea with milk.

"Want soome roti pesang? Or with beef? Or chicken?"

"What?"

"This." Pointing to the freshly heated dough on the 'hot plate'.

I've always wanted to know what that was. And why some people i see mix it in some curry sauce of some sort. I also did not like the idea of how they cook it - mashing and stretching (by hand) to get a consistently slim paperlike piece of dough. Remember the way, as kids we'd play with clay dough and flatten it with our palms? Yes, that way. Letting it cook on the hot surface, just enough not to be brittle. Then, leave it on the stove some more to cook.

"Ok, let me have a piece, please. The plain Roti" Will try something else some other time.

The next day, i'm having roti for breakfast at the hotel. And then at work with some friends. If in Pinas we had the pandesal, here, they have their roti.

Palaui road trip

Looking down the cliff reminded me of my visit to the Batanes islands. the sight of a fifty meter cliff keeps me close to the railings and on solid ground. There are two islands a couple hundred meters away to the north. And in between, rough, white top waves. Passing by the channel an hour after, was one of those boatrides where we really had to hold on. Cape engano is on this northernmost tip of the Palaui island. It serves as a beacon for seafarers. a 30 meter structure stands tall and overlooking the coast.It would be nice to talk some history about this lighthouse, but i am no hostorian nor am i a writer. I just like to make short notes about my trips on the shallowest level. That way i dont have to write anything complicated or get myself in trouble.

From the cove, it would take us a short 30 minute trek. We arrive here and meet Arnold, Odie and Fred. They are here for their second night camping. And it must have taken them two something hours from the island port on the other side of the island. We would leave them to try their luck, again, at another sunset shoot. The weather and the clouds were not on our side this time.

The boatride around Palaui showed the various characteristics of the island. On the north is the open sea. Only Camiguin and Fuga is 4 hours north on rough seas by boat. The inner coast had reefs and beaches both for diving and snorkling. Some areas have been designated as fish sanctuaries and therefore offlimits to any activity. Game fishing has so far been the common sport among the island's visitors.

Amiboy and his two boatmen prepared breakfast of Sinigang and barbequed fish over an open fire at beachside. We let them do their thing as we went around the beach to shoot anything that would catch our eye.

The day started out slow and dull. But it picked up a bit when we got to the Angib beach on the mainland. After circling Palaui Island. The weather was warm and the tide was setting out. The beach was 'ok'. Clear waters, white sand and not too much trash. Anna didnt like the seagrass though. I brought along my snorkling gear just in case we find an exceptional place to use it. For now, it was kept dry. We did not visit the snorklng areas we were told about. Again, that’ll be something to come back for.

Back at our lodge, we'd download photos taken for the day. It was a Good Friday and no people were around. And Mel's restaurant was closed for the day. We were allowed to cook our own dinner though. Maybe if we had known, we might have been more prepared. So, we had to have our dinner somewhere else. We rested early in preparation for the next day's long drive back to Manila.

As we were about to leave, we had a really long chat with Engineer Cortez. Apparently, He owns the guest house we stayed in. He also has a fleet of buses that plyed tuguegarao to sta ana. And best of all, was planning to put up a beach front resort. Now, all we need are kayaks and a very knowledgable tour guide. This got us thinking that we'd really be back soon. Of course, we had to put on the table some ideas that we'd like to have in the resort.

The drive back home was very long. We had to head back a day earlier than what we had planned. My trip to Malaysia could not be adjusted. So, maximizing the time and holidays we had, I would get 6 hours of rest before I had to be at the airport. Thats another story.

Daguldol

San Juan, Laiya, Batangas
Brought first time climbers, Janina and Myki to Daguldol. What an experience!!! for them...

We started early in the evening. Four of us with the help of a local guide, made it to the campsite by 1030. It was drizzling. The ground was muddy. Janina was tired. But it was an experience for the four of us, never having climbed here before. Thanks to Aries, the mood was always fun and lively.

Back down the next day, we stayed at La Luz for lunch and some R&R. Beach, Snorkling and two dives at one go. Lunch was great!!! Salamat Nette and the assistant chefs. Lets do that again. Next time, without the Daguldol part.