San Felipe: Surfing

            My love story with San Felipe started one unforgettable summer.  Mel and I are planning to spend our summer time Para-sailing in Subic Bay when out-of-the-blue, I asked her to try surfing instead.  Hesitation is written all over her pretty face but picture my surprise when she immediately jump on her bed, turn on her laptop and her fingers start dancing on her keyboard to Google the best rash-guard, Zambales maps and tips on how to ride the surfing board. Hahaha! (Excited much, huh?! He-he!)

            The six (6) hours travel time from Victory Liner, Cubao in Manila to Olongapo City are spent mostly by reading books and sleeping.  Instead of dropping off Olongapo - to Subic, as what we first planned, we took another bus ride to San Felipe, Zambales.

             After Olongapo, you will pass by Castillejos, San Antonio, San Marcelino, San Narciso and my love, San Felipe.  You can ask the bus conductor to drop you off San Narciso town plaza and from there you can take a tricycle to bring you to San Felipe.  You may also ask the bus driver to stop at San Felipe 'Welcome' signage and you can either hike to the nearest tricycle terminal or waiting shed or you may stay beside the road and wait for a tricycle to bring you to your destination.  I never knew of this place before that summer escapade.  We intend to surf in San Narciso where we should be staying - in the comfort and safe abode of Crystal Beach Resort.  Virgel (surfing instructor of Crystal Beach Resort)  suggested we try the waves in San Felipe for San Narciso's beach is quiet shy to show us its magnificent wonder when we arrived.  So, off we rode a tricycle with our surfing boards to my love, San Felipe.

Dampa - Kainan

           A self-confessed seafood glutton that I am, I'd rather miss my spa than a visit to Dampa-Kainan. Hahaha!  Imagining Dampa is like having those lobsters, crabs, shrimps and fishes of different types floating on my head like a halo. Hahaha!

           Thinking of this place makes someone complain about driving too far or being at the back of the steering-wheel in the middle of traffic in EDSA.  One may think its too far that even for the sake of a delicious "ginataang-hipon' or 'adobong-pusit' or for a grilled tuna-belly, they'd rather stay home.  Well, here's a very good news to homebodies, there's now a number of Dampa-kainan that you can visit.

             

La Union

            Every time someone mention La Union, beach and waves comes to my mind.  I normally chase waves in Zambales but La Union is not a bad choice, in fact, its equally adventurous and beautiful.  This quiet place is located in Ilocos Region and its name literally means ' the union of towns from different provinces'.  Its surrounded by different equally famous and beautiful places: Benguet , Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan.

             I am ready to experience surfing in La Union's (L.U.) wave but I am so glad one of my office mate invited us (me and my office friends) to try surfing in LU and stay overnight in their vacation house.  What is better than to get a free vacation with your friends in a secluded and awesome beach, right?

            We hired an urban van that accommodate eighteen (18) of us and off we travel to this land of rice, tobacco, cotton, cacao, mangoes, vegetables and silk coconuts.  The travel was fun and noisy as expected.  Most of us busied ourselves taking pictures of the gorgeous scenery along the way, some are busy chatting with their seatmates, some are sleeping and the rest are quietly 'texting' and playing with the games in their phones.

Monfort Bat Cave

            It was not my intention to visit this place when I boarded a ferry from Km.11 Sasa, Davao City to Babak, Samal Island. Not until my cousin-in-law informed me that my ever-dearest crush TV host/sportsman Marc Nelson visited the place and that a representative from Guinness Book of World Records checked out the place recently.  That and a beautiful beach grabbed my attention, then, off I took a 'habal-habal' (single motorcycle) ride to Monfort-Bat Cave in Babak, Island Garden City of Samal.

             The fare will cost you only 11Php/pax from Sasa, Davao City to Babak, Samal Island.  From the pier, several tricycles are waiting for your beak and call.  Fare ranges from 25Php-P50Php depending on your destinations. The cave is within the area so it only took us 30minutes to reach the place and 50Php less was stashed from my cash.  The entrance fee is 20Php/children and 40Php/adult.  Before I forgot, the entrance ticket has the stamp of Guinness World of Books Records.  You will be guided from the entrance on wards.  The area is not yet fully functional when I arrived.  As soon as I paid our entrance fee (I am with my mother, cousin and nephew) - we were asked to proceed to the stairs leading us to the entrance the cave.  It is gated for safety.  No one is allowed to enter without permission, may it be human or animals. Hahaha!  I was only allowed to take pictures outside of the gate, right outside of the cave. 

All About Baguio City

             Known as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, Baguio City lives by its name.  Having a cool weather all year round - this place is the best spot to get away from the sizzling hot weather of Manila. Its only Six (6) hours drive from Manila.  Those who have cars can either choose to take Kennon road that start from La Union.  This is the old and favorite road Baguio

locals and old people from Manila used to take.  Marcos highway is also available, you can enter this road via Agoo or Rosario, La Union.  This is the favorite route  of buses and big cars because of its wider lanes. Another route is in Naguilan road (also known as Quirino highway).  The entry point is in Bauang, La Union and this is famous for visitors from Northern Luzon area.  And Baguio-Nueva Viscaya road that connects Benguet, Nueva Viscaya, Sagada, Ifugao and other provinces nearby.

The "City of Pines" boost of different activities famous for locals and international tourist.  If you are not afraid of water, you may rent a boat in their city lagoon located at the center of Burnham Park.  You get to enjoy the privacy talking to your friends without anyone hearing it (Hahaha!) and get the glimpse of SM Baguio right nearby.  Visit the place during weekends and you'll see the big area crowded with families and friends 

hiring rowboats, children laughing and playing in the children's playground, rose/orchids fanatics in Rose Garden and Orchidarium, having fun in the skating rink, taking a curios look at the Igorot garden, resting and posing in Melvin Jones grandstand, roaming around Sunshine park, picnic grove, Japanese Peace Tower, Athletic bowl and of course, the Pine Trees of the World.  

Dive Link Adventure Island Resort

            A mere mention of Dive Link Resort, one may think of scuba diving right away.  Well, you got it right!  The resort offers a lot of services and water sports and activities but mainly scuba diving, thus, the name was derived.  Its our first time in Coron, Palawan and stayed in Dive Link Resort.  Its located in Uson island and only 10minutes away from Coron town by boat (Bangka).  It is near, yes, that you can even see the resort's "little" pier and walkway from Coron's mainland.

             It is raining when we arrive, hence I was not able to capture the resort's beauty in daylight.  This type of weather makes me curl up in our twin-sharing air conditioned room and just sleep my day away.  But hey! I didn't travel 1hour (by plane) away from Manila and took a bumpy ride on board Cebu Pacific Air (we are travelling when typhoon Quiel hit the country) just to sleep right?  Though the bed, cool weather and the chirping of the birds are inviting me to enter the world of dreams and unconscious fantasy.

           

Crystal Beach Resort

            I normally go to Zambales when I feel like chasing the waves and exhaust my self from surfing.  Where else should I stay other than a resort that offers exactly what I need: a fine sand (not exactly white), a surfboard and a comfortable bed/hammock to stay for the night.

             Crystal beach is located in San Narciso, Zambales. Its two (2) hours away from Olongapo City - the capital of Zambales.  The resort offers an unforgettable surfing experience for both amateurs and pro surfers.  They also offer other water activities such as skim boarding, kayaking, beach volley and obstacle race and campsite for campers right next to the shore.

           To reach this destination, you can buy your bus ticket in Victory Liner  - Cubao.  They offer a direct ride from Cubao, Quezon City to San Narciso, Zambales (277Php/pax).  If you missed the bus, you can take a Cubao - Olongapo City route (207Php/pax) and then take another Victory Liner bus or other bus liner for that matter that will take you to San Narciso (ranges from 50-100Php/pax).  You just need to ask the bus conductor to drop you off San Narciso plaza.  The means of transportation in San Narcisco are either by bus or tricycle.  Right in front of the plaza, you will find different tricycle terminals for different "barangays". The ride to the resort will cost you 20Php/pax.  They have a wide space for parking open 24/7 for free.

           

Padre Burgos Adventure Tour : Mag-asawang Bato Island

            The first stop in our Padre Burgos Adventure Tour is in Mag-asawang Bato Island.  You bet, it's a two side by side boulders or should I say Islands of boulders facing Padre Burgos coastline.  

            The locals call it "Mag-asawang Bato" or "married rocks", though I don't know why.  These rocks are not really close to each other, when we are still on our bangka - we thought these two boulders are in not-so-close distance you may think they are just "acquaintance". Hehehe

            

Padre Burgos Adventure Tour : Mount Lipata

            What's a mountaineering organization without a mountain to climb, right?  And so after several times of swimming, sunbathing, caving, spelunking, Island hopping in the Islands of Borawan, Dampalitan, Mag-asawang Bato, here we are in our final leg - Lipata Island to conquer Mount Lipata.

               Professional and amateurs (like me!) mountaineers alike do appreciate the beauty of each mountain whether its as high as Mt. Apo (Davao City), as steep as Mt. Pulag (Benguet) or as simple and splendid as Mt. Lipata.

            Right after we set our foot on the warm and beautiful shore of Lipata Island which they call Uro's beach, we started spreading our sleeping bags (sarong and blankets for others) in a nearby shady trees.  Eat halo-halo (20Php/tumbler) made available by locals in the area and take more photos of the beach than our memory card can save.  After an hour of resting and preparing our gears, off we start to trek and hike the mountain.  Its the first time of most of us to climb Mt. Lipata and we are so excited and eager to reach the top.  It might not be as steep and as high as other mountains but surely its not an easy climb either. Even though our guides are cutting off unwanted grasses and 'kugons' along the way - there are still stubborn that manages to scratch and cuts our hands, feet and even faces - those part of the body that are not covered (I suggest you wear a rash guard or long sleeve jacket.)  There's a lot of cliffs and boulders too.  There are parts of the trail, especially near the summit where in we must use the rocks, boulders and tree branches available to get to the next trail. Hanging on for our dear lives.Hahaha!

Padre Burgos Adventure Tour : Borawan Beach

            My friend Mitch and I wanted to get out from the city and just do some sunbathing and a lot of swimming.  I may not be sure if I'll call it luck or a mere coincidence when we receive a Facebook invitation from a mountaineering club YABAG.

            They will be having their 2nd Padre Burgos Adventure Tour and their scouting anyone who are interested to do some mountain climbing, caving/spelunking, rappelling, island hopping, camping on the beach and a simple 'beachineering'.  The mentioned of "beach" turns us on and off we join.

            Borawan Island is just one of the Islands that we can enjoy as part of our Padre Burgos Tour.  It offers a wide beach shore that allows campers to build their small and huge tents alike.  The boulders and mountains surrounding it keep the tents from blowing away by the strong wind.

Mount Balingkilat

            I love nature ever since I can remember.  I love the feel of raindrops on my face - when it rains.  I love the cold water on my feet when I am in the pool, creek, river and more so in the sea.  I love to see the beautiful flowers in the garden or to steal from the ground the shade of the tree, the blue sky and... the mountain and the jungle?  Yes, I never thought I would love climbing mountains and exploring jungles.

             My first major climb was in Mt. Pointed Peak (a.k.a. Mount Balingkilat 1,100+masl) in Subic Municipality, Zambales.  I got a chance to join other professional and non-pro mountaineers to explore one of the highest peaks of Zambales.  The climb was organized and led by a mountaineering club called: YABAG.

           

Tagaytay City

           Me and my friends do go out...most of the time.(Hahaha!)  On one of our busy week, we manage to pull-out ourselves from the four corners of our office and lead our feet to Tagaytay City.  Over the cup of coffee in Starbucks, the famous Tagaytay mushroom burger and the delicious bulalo in Tagaytay public market - we talk about how beautiful and enchanting Tagaytay City is.

             Tagaytay City is located in Cavite. Some says its part of Batangas because its lies on top of Tagaytay Ridge which is the highest point in Batangas.  The ridge provides an awesome view of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake in Batangas.  Its 55km away from Manila via Aguinaldo Highway.  I normally go to Tagaytay thru this route: Star Mall EDSA, FX is only P60-P80/pax to Balibago, Laguna.  Then I will take Jeeps or tricycle to take me to Tagaytay.  Tricycle will cost you around P100-P200/pax from Balibago to Olivarez, Tagaytay and the jeepney ride will cost you P12-P20/pax.

            With its clean air and cool climate, Tagaytay offers a refreshing experience to tourist.  Its perfect for leisure activities such as horseback riding, picnic, camping, a simple picture-taking and a memorable sightseeing.  Most Filipino families that cannot afford to spend their time driving away from Manila and cannot afford the luxury of farther destination - opted to bond in this city.  Why need to drive father and spend much if you can get same quality right nearby?

Coron Island: The Tour

            I wonder why Coron in Palawan is rather famous for adventurers and loner alike when it is Puerto Princesa that's considered Palawan's capital city.  Last October 1st, aboard Cebu Pacific Air, my friend Mel and I landed for the first time in Francisco Reyes (Busuanga-Coron) Airport.  Other airlines also fly guests from Manila to Coron: PAL express and  Zest Air.  Fetched by Dive Link Resort van from the airport, we went straight to Coron's pier located right next to Coron Public Market and one of the famous and new hotel in town - Coron Gateway Hotel. Though ours are free, if you are alone van rental may cost you P150/pax or around P1,500/whole van.  Ten minutes away from the pier, by boat, is our resort - Dive Link Resort, where we will stay for 3 exciting days to explore this under populated but popular place.

             Coron, I may say is one of the best town I've ever been.  It is under populated, yes.  Per Wikipedia (the free encyclopedia) - it had a population of 32,243 people according to 2000 census.  That explains why it's not yet a city but a municipality. It's sharing its beautiful island with another equally beautiful town called Busuanga.