Laguna Weekend Getaway – Pagsanjan Falls and Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo!

Our Itinerary:

(Aug 17) Pagsanjan Falls – Aling Taleng – Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery – Liliw Shoes

(Aug 18) Makiling Botanical Garden – College of Forestry – Maria Makiling Entry Trail – National Arts of the Philippines --  Magnetic Hill --  Paciano Rizal Park and IRRI

Believe it or not, this simple 1-day trip was planned early of June 2013 and got to its boiling point by mid August. Personal schedules interfere mostly while planning this weekend getaway until finally; we've agreed to do it and set the date once and for all. The weather was too much to bear that this planned activity would be our oasis from the burning heat of summer, an encouraging breather on a monotonous 8-5 job.

Those long and often date-changing preparations made its clear course on the night of August 16, 2013 via HM bus bound for Olivarez. Our most willing and gracious officemate, Angela and her family welcomed us in their home (free board and lodging) with open arms! Angela and her mom even went their way to pick us up at Vega in the wee hour (12:30am, to be exact) of Saturday.

Before dozing myself off to dreamland, I set the alarm at 5am and reminded myself that we have a very busy day tomorrow (...or later).

Day 1 Itinerary – Pagsanjan Falls, Aling Taleng, Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery and side trip to Liliw.

The weather that greeted us was not the usual bright and sunny mode. It was more like a ‘so-so’ bed weather. Of course we didn’t let anything, not even a bad weather stop our vibrant spirit and so we went downstairs to formally meet our hostess....and the yummy breakfast!

Angela's mom busy preparing our breakfast

The 'simple breakfast' according to Angela :)

After the sumptuous breakfast prepared by Pablo family, we took off with our first agenda – Pagsanjan Falls.

the gang at Pagsanjan Arch

Marked as one of the most famous waterfalls in the country, this falls also known as Magdapio Falls is actually located in Cavinti, Laguna and not in Pagsanjan. And so, our journey started at the Pueblo El Salvador Nature’s Park originally known as Cavinti Eco-Park.

at the entrance of Pueblo El Salvador

Upon arrival at Pueblo El Salvador, we were assisted by the desk officer (Girly), got ourselves guide and of course paid the registration fee of Php 270. We were also given harness to aid us while doing the descent over the steep steel ladders. A few minutes after that, we started our trek (an hour, if I remembered it correctly) to the falls.

The trek started with a 15-20 minute walk down the cemented pavement. After that, came the forest and a statue of El Salvador del Mundo greeted us paving the way to the steel ladders. Did I mention – steep? Well, you be the judge.

At this point, we were geared up by our guide of our harnesses. 

Steep...ey!

view atop the enclosed vertical ladder

final descent to the falls...yes!

The endless metal stairs and two enclosed vertical ladders made us all weary. Good thing that the weather was not so sunny. In fact, it was starting to drizzle before we reached the ground.

And without further adom I give you Magdapio Falls.

And because we are up for the challenge....we braced ourselves and crossed the gigantic falls all the way to the Devil’s Cave which is hidden behind. It was exhilarating and scary (not everyone is a swimmer L ) at the same time.

After that adventure, we head back to the steep trails (again!). All soaking wet and still invigorated by the majestic view of Magdapio Falls, we had no choice but to push ourselves back to the top. Why in the world did we not go for the ‘shooting the rapids’? I suddenly dismissed the thought given that we are working on a very tight budget with this trip. L

Tired and exhausted and starting to dry up, we leaped the remaining steps to Angela’s car for our late lunch at Aling Taleng’s. My motto, ‘a great adventure always deserves a delicious reward meal.’

Less than an hour, we arrived at the famous Aling Taleng’s Halo-Halo!

It was an hour past lunch when we entered the simple and homey ambiance of Aling Taleng’s establishment. Mixture of wet clothes and chilling breeze coming from the centralized air-conditioning system made my tummy rumble all the more. The only thing in my mind is food.... nothing but delectable home-cooked meal paired with an offensive amount of steaming rice!

According to the food attendant, who was very accommodating to our group, the restaurant was actually an ancestral house and established around 1933 by Editha dela Fuente. Aside from serving food, they also offer room accommodations for a very reasonable price. The attendant was feeding us with lots of stories about Aling Taleng but my mind was too clouded with hunger. Food! Food!!!! After less than an hour, our orders are served and the feast began!

Of course, we will not leave the place without trying the ‘Best Halo-Halo in Pagsanjan’. And it’s truer than true! It was the best tasting, mouth-watering halo-halo I’ve ever tasted. For 75 pesos, I’m at lost for words!

with Kufi!

...to be concluded.

Till then!

In between letters and life

I looked up and see the sky...it spelled magnificence.

The old wooden door left open....spelled escape.

That guy in the avenue waiting for a cab....spelled boredom.

My bleeding hand fixing the box....spelled life.

I choked for an answer and got nothing in return....it spelled hunger.

The rustic pipe across the trail....spelled thirst.

The rash on my olive skin.....spelled beauty.

For every chance I've been given....it spelled life.

Popping those bubble wraps, crisp and loud....it spelled reflection.

The aromatic rosary I hold so tight....it spelled faith.

Those nasty thoughts I dared profess....it spelled human.

My nephew's irritating cry for milk.....it spelled life.

The alarm on my phone waking me up....it spelled new day.
The never-ending city traffic jam....it spelled chaos.
My tattoos written in different colours and sizes....it spelled individuality.
You reading this so-called poem....it spelled life.

The magnificence has helped me escape from boredom....it spelled life.
My hunger and thirst for concealed beauty....it spelled life.
Those endless reflections of my faith as human....it spelled life.
Waiting for that new day in the midst of chaos and individuality...that is - LIFE.

Till then. 

In the beginning....

Scale, go up, mount, ascend, clamber, scramble and rise. Those are the words synonymous (given by Word) to what I love to do – CLIMB! Somehow that sums it up... but not all of it.

My first experience with climbing mountains goes all the way back to the summer vacation in my mother’s hometown in Bohol. I, my youngest brother and mom were scrambling the sharp assault to visit my grandparent’s tomb. I remember firming my small feet to the loosed ground soil while my free hand is busy grabbing tree branches and the other one holding the makeshift trekking pole.

I do not remember how long it took us to get there or if I had injured myself along the way. What I do remember is that I feel elated and happy and content at that very moment. Walking with my mom, my brother and a relative (can’t remember my relation to her, though) that served as our guide.

Mom was talking to her non-stop. They were reminiscing the past. They were exchanging news and stories. They were laughing and giggling and I hadn’t seen my mom that blissful. I was smiling.... I was smiling because, the fact is that, I don’t understand what they’re talking about (they’re speaking in Visayan language). She looked years younger at that instant. They’re talking as if decades had not passed.  Too bad, camera was a luxury for us back then.

Families and friends often asked me why I find climbing so interesting. I stop and recollect all the memories I had with nature way up there and it made me.... smile. The excitement, the exhaustion, the assault and steep trails, the plateau, the old trees, the wilderness, the muddy terrains, the parasites (limatik), the floras and faunas, the unfamiliar happy faces of locals, the brewed coffee, the quick bath, the sometimes not-so-sturdy shoes, the revolting heavy bags, the weirdest rashes and bruises, the unrelenting winds, the scorching heat, the sweat and rain combined, the crisp sounds of chirping birds, the proud boulders, the unnerving cold nights, the hikers you meet along the way, the exchange of laughter, the socials, the tons of photo opt, the sea of clouds, the sunrise and sunset, the stillness and serenity, the reward dinner , the tired feet and victorious smug! I guess they’ll never know....I'm hoping they would – one day.

There are probably thousands of mountains in the world but as a good friend of mine once said “Akyat habang may bundok” (climb while there’s still mountains). With that in mind, I will continue to climb and never falter.

photo credits to Ken Mauleon

All it takes is a little courage, a slight push and off you go.

Till then.

Movies and my Childhood

After my Mt. Pulag climb last Chinese New Year, I made a mental note not to write about it until I've found the rights words.....exactly the right words of how I've felt. I'm try to stay away from my usual climb blog so as not to bore my non-hiker friends from reading this blogspot.

Let's try writing something close to me and you, of course -- MOVIES!
I'm a great fan of movies be it drama, comedy, sci-fi, action, cartoon, romance and horror. Well, who hasn't? Some people are drawn to movies inspired by true events, and mostly, I don't.

When I was about 3 years old, I remember watching "Panday" for the first time with my dad. It was a fad back then to watch a re-run because it's much cheaper especially when it's years after it was first shown. It was also my first time to ever watch a movie on a very huge screen. Everything seemed bigger and grand back then. Even the white lady that chased the young kid looked scarier. To cut the story short, I did not finished the movie as I was so scared that I opted to sleep.

It was in Grade 5 when we did our first "major" project. Our class adviser consulted the entire class to come up with a benefit project for our school library. Without batting an eyelash, we decided to do a film showing. The movie - The Land Before Time (sigh!  brings back good ol' memories!) The film showing was a success! Everyone was commended by our class adviser for a job well done. What's best about it...we get to watch the film for free! Mind you, it did brought me to tears. I can still remember.....still smell the fresh paint...the china had never been used.....the sheets had never been....(huh?! forgive me....t'was a different movie.) Seriously though, whenever I hear "If we hold on together" by Diana Ross, I just can't help but remember that cartoon movie.

Who amongst you remember "Biokids" back in the 90's? Well, I can't remember the exact story but I remember going to church and completing the "Simbang Gabi" praying that I'd be one of that cool super hero kids. Funny, you think? Back then, it wasn't....but now I'm so humiliated telling this to all of  you. At least I get to complete my first "Misa de Gallo."

Another movie that strike me as a teenager was "Now and Then." My best friend and I even tried to do the famous 'coke float'. And yes, we weren't aware that it is called an ice cream soda and is widely popular on the other side of the world. Such an ignorant me back then .... and STILL AM! That's the best thing about childhood. Everything you see and hear and feel is new, everything seems wonderful and good and perfect. The movie soundtrack was also awesome! My best friend and I were like listening to 'Knock Three Times'; 'Sugar, Sugar' for forever. And also, 'As I Lay Me Down'  by Sophie B. Hawkins was just perfect!

Movies made by Viva Films will always hold a special place in my heart and someday (if I'd ever get to download online) in my portable external hard drive. Movies such as 'Campus Girls' and 'DoReMi' (I'm mushy and cheesy and I like it!) will always bring back sweet memories of my high school days in Makati.

I'm a super huge fan of Julia Roberts romantic flicks! (as in!) Whenever I feel sad or just trying to be myself, I always end up watching 'Pretty Woman' and 'Notting Hill.' Thinking of it makes me want to watch it again....later. Can't help it! No matter how hard we try, there will always be that tiny little thought bubbles that will always pop out of our minds hoping that someday, somehow we'd be able to experience a certain love story like that. And that my friend, is the hopeless romantic in me.

Will I ever get to watch another movie as brilliant as 'Forrest Gump' and our very own 'Oro Plata Mata?' How long would 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' film series play a significant part of Filipino horror flick? When will I ever get to watch quality Pinoy action flick? Will the young generations of today be able to appreciate movies such as 'Jologs' and 'The Breakfast Club?' I have so many questions.....damn!
                               

One thing is for sure, I'll definitely write a part two (or even a part three!) of this. Audrey Hepburn once quoted 'Everything I learned I learned from the movies'. I guess she's right!

Til then!

Mt. Maculot....Rockies Experience

December around this time seems a little less colder than expected. Probably the cool northeast wind a.k.a. Amihan isn't ready to share it's cold embrace with Philippines.  Best introduction of my article so far.... (astig ng pasakalye! harhar!)

So with that, a group of 11 hikers decided to visit a not-so-distant place where chilling air would welcome us with abandon. 

      The place - Cuenca, Batangas

      The mountain - Mt. Maculot

Around 6:00 AM, we're on the road bound to Batangas where Lomi awaits us! Yum!

My apologies for those who are looking forward to my usual detailed itinerary. This is the best that I could provide you as I wasn't too keen in keeping track of time before I started this blog. :(

Meeting Place - Jam Liner along LRT Buendia Taft
0430 Strict Call time (duhhhh!)
0600 ETD at Jam Liner boarding Lemery-bound bus

0900 ETA Cuenca Poblacion. Take tricycle to Registration area then to jump-off.
0930 Start Hike
1130 Arrival at campsite. Lunch.
1230 Start ascent to Rockies
1245 Rockies. Photo opt! (My personal fave!)
130-3:30 Start Descent
3:30-4:00 Jumpoff Tidy up
4:00 - 5:00 Early dinner / side trip - Lomihan!


I'd rate this climb as my Top 1 with regards to:

•  Trails - no need of guide as trails are very well established

• Water source - it's like 7-11 up there. Every station has drinks to offer like buko juice, soft drinks and halo-halo and, of course,

• View - with Mt. Maculot, I'm with my favorite elements - heights and rocks! (Someday, I'd go for the extremely massive boulders.)

Budget : Php 500.00

Let's get it on!

My mountain buddies!

One of the best -- Cheap and very yummy!

A great photo bomber, don't you think!

Mt. Maculot nowadays is considered as one of the most visited mountains and with that comes garbage....tons of it.

This is a fun climb that I'd surely do again and would definitely join a Clean-up climb to ensure that what I had experienced back then would still be the same years from now.

Til then.