Scrolling down my Facebook and Twitter timeline, I noticed that a lot of young people like me are…read moregoing to mountainous regions near Manila to try out hiking. I'm not really a fan of hiking or physical activities in general, but for some reason I got a bit jealous. I also wanted to go hiking with my friends as part of our yearly barkada goals. When my friend heard that I was interested in hiking, he immediately planned a trip to Tanay, Rizal. He told us that he knows this really cool place where we could hike. It took us 1 and a half hours to get to Tanay, Rizal. We first went to Brgy. Daraitan to contact a tour guide. When we finally found a tour guide for our day trip, we decided to head out to Mt. Daraitan. We only assigned one person from our barkada to take pictures, because we heard that a girl fell down the mountain while she was taking selfies (Yikes!). During our hike, there were many campsites and way points where we rested. There's also a super clean river down the mountain where some of my friends bathe in. If you want to visit an ecotourism site, you can take an alternate trail to Mt. Lugang, a beautiful mountainous region deep within Sierra Madre. This place will surely make you appreciate the beauty of mother nature. It was a very tiring adventure. At first, I was really scared, but the tour guide told me that I'll be safe as long as I follow all of his guidelines. This experience is definitely one for the books!

I was so amazed with how the river looks. Although the ride going to this scenic view is quite long…read moreand bumpy, its actually worth the wait. You have to go in groups though so you will not ripped off your pocket. Its also better if you have your own private car because the only means of transportation is trike going to barangay Daraitan. Just make sure the vehicle will endure the rocky road, literally its super bumpy and kinda steep. Also you have to pay for registrations, mandatory tour guide, bridge and so on.. that's why its better if you're in groups. Locals were nice and friendly though.

I don't really have a travel bucketlist, or any bucketlist for that matter, but one thing that I…read morehave really wanted to do for the longest time is to go to Kalinga and get a tattoo from Whang-Od, one of the last survival tattoo artists in the Cordilleras. A little history, Whang-Od is a trained tattoo artists, and at 96 years old (nobody really knows how old she is. Some people say 94, some 96) she is still doing the craft that her forefathers taught her. She creates really intricate geometric tattoo designs using traditional methods and materials (with just a suha thorn as a stylus, soot from pine trees and more soot for creating outlines and templates). The art was about to die out, but fortunately, Whang-Od has been training her grand-niece to follow her footsteps. Anyway, the trek up to the Butbut tribe's village up in the Kalinga mountains is not only treacherous and arduous, it is also a logistical nightmare. The buses and the jeeps there run on a very unpredictable schedule, and sometimes, you will need to stay an entire night at the foothills if you miss your jeep connection by even just a few minutes. You will really need a tour company to organize your trip if you want to go about it with the least hassle, and one of such companies is run by the hilarious Sir Yunan Reyes. Yunan has built his contacts over the years, and his tour organizing company caters to quite a lot of destinations: Banaue, Mt. Pulag, Batad, Sagada, Ilocos, Anawangin, Boracay, Caramoan, Calaguas, and recently Mt. Halcon. Yunan's operation is a worry free tour service, and he takes care of everything, depending of course on your budget. My experience with him in Kalinga was awesome - he took care of our return trip through the Bontoc route (my friend and I went on our own via the Tabuk route). You can set up your own all-inclusive trip, which usually costs P3000-5000 per person. You can also join a tour group, if you are okay with the idea of sharing a vacation trip with complete strangers (this happened to us in Kalinga). You can agree on a meeting and a drop-off place, and he will pick you up with a spacious van with a skilled driver. All you really need to do is pay, book a schedule, show up and have a great time. You can contact Yunan at trek_travel2010@yahoo.com.

Trek Travel & Tours by Yunan Reyes helped us enjoy the best experience possible at Buscalan,…read moreKalinga! Our first trip with Yunan Reyes was last 2014 and the trip was as flawless as it can be! From then we have booked his services and we've been at Kalinga for THREE TIMES now! That's how much we enjoyed his services! Due to the bond we have experienced travelling with Yunan for almost 2 years now we can all say that he is a trust worthy & a very good friend! As for Buscalan the place speaks for itself. Enjoy Butbut tribe's culture along with nature's finest! We are looking forward to our next trip to Mt. Pulag or Calaguas Yunan! See you soon!!!

One of my best friends grew up in Angono, Rizal, and she has always told me about this…read morearchaeological site that was discovered several years back in the nearby Binangonan town, which shares Angono's border. During one of their town fiestas, she took me up there to see it. Only roughly an hour away from Manila (and several minutes away from Antipolo) is the Binangonan Petroglyph site, which is a protected historical and cultural site. Apparently, the national authority for arts and culture have been testing the veracity and the authenticity of the site, but the marker from the National Museum must suggest that there has to be a certain level of credibility to the discovery Just a few minutes away from Angono's town proper, one would have to take a very steep mountain road to get to the developed uphill town near Thunderbird Resort and Casinos. Though the trail to the site itself is well-established, it is still recommended to wear your good hiking shoes because the dirt could be a little loose and rocky, especially during hot weather. There is a vast quarry that has a manmade, roughly hewn tunnel cutting through it which connects the highway to the other face of the mountain, where the Petroglyhs are located. With a minimal entrance fee, you will be able to see the Petroglyphs (stone drawings) which were apparently done by our cavemen ancestors hundreds of years ago, possibly even during the Neolithic age (broken vessels, remains and other artifacts were found in the site as well).The petroglyphs are known as the oldest form of folk art in the country. The said stone drawings featured tribal motifs for animals, humans and other natural objects, and they are etched to the faces of the rocks that jut out of the mountain. Some of the areas have been vandalized by people before the National Museum stepped in and built a barrier, restricting close access to the rocks. It is said that the cavemen who etched the designs onto the rocks are the ancestors of the people of Angono, who later on spurred an artistic Renaissance in the town, smaking it the Art Capital of the Philippines. Thankfully, preservation efforts have been done to keep the petroglyphs from being damaged by human activity and the elements. The site is also being petitioned to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

What do you think would be the oldest artwork in the Philippines? Definitely not the oil paintings…read moreon canvas or stone sculptures, but paintings too, or rather etchings on rocks, of our indigenous ancestors, long before civilization as we we know it was created. The Binangonan-Angono Petroglyphs are rock drawings of what looks like human and animal figures. There are about 127 still-visible drawings on a huge rock shelter on the hills bordering Angono and Binangonan. To get there, my travel companions and I rode up a hill before coming to an entrance of what seems like a cave. The guards told us to pass by the tunnel to get to the petroglyphs on the other side. We just walked straight and when we emerged out of the tunnel, we saw a structure that seemed like a house but which actually holds replicas of artifacts like stones and plates of baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing system. And then we went up a stone then wooded walkway to get to the rock shelter with the cave drawings. They do look like the real thing, though I read in some accounts that it is not yet proven without a doubt that the artworks are indeed authentic. But in any case, they indeed look beautiful and ancient, with some etchings deeper and more visible than others.

THE BIG: Located in the Batangas region of The Philippines. Supervolcano that has a concept out of…read morethis world. An island in a lake on an island in a lake on the Philippine island. Mind Blown. THE BLACK AND WHITE: We came here during the christmas vacation and it was packed! Beautiful caldera with Taal volcano slowly erupting in the background. Heard that the 2020 eruption evacuated many people and caused alot of damage. Otherwise it was a nice humid day and the people that make Taal volcano their livelihood shows with the fishing boats and tourists activities nearby. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Overall highly recommend coming here to see the concept in action. A great viewpoint of Taal Volcano and the lake is from Tagaytay.

This review is pre-COVID and pre-Volcanic eruption…read more Taal Volcano is located in Tagatay, it's a great getaway for folks from Manila and Laguna. Tagatay itself, is an awesome place for having a second home, like Wisconsin is for Chicagoland peeps. Upon arriving, you can grab breakfast at any of the fine restaurants looking down at lake Taal. Enjoy the food, coffee, breeze and wonderful views. The volcano sits in the middle of the lake. So we had to negotiate a boat ride to and from the volcano. Once there, for a fee, we were able to ride these really skinny horses up to the top of the crater. Wow, that was scary but we were there for adventure, right!! It was a hot day so bring a water bottle or two. I also noticed some tourists (either from Japan or Korea) hiking up to the top. We would have done the same thing but we had a spry but elderly person with us, so we decided to go with the horses. I hope to come back to see how things have turned out since the eruption. I just love Geology as a whole and the ruggedness of this outing. They just need to build some infrastructure like what we have in Yellowstone or Mount Zion, so even more people can enjoy this.

The first challenge is finding your way there. You need to take the road behind Aqua Planet, then…read morethere is a dirt road that will take you to the village where the tour guides live. Drive to the end of the village and inquire at the sari sari store. There's a small clearing where you can park your car. You'll be asked to sign into their log book and pay the 150 peso admission fee. Make sure you go with a local who speaks Tagalog, or even better Kapampangan, so you don't get taken advantage of. THE GOOD - you can pick up bottled water and snacks at the sari-sari store if you forget to bring some. - the tour guides are patient and won't rush you along. - many sections of the trail are shaded - You'll run into water striders, butterflies, beautiful dragonflies and carabao. - the water is clear and cool - Aside from the rare airplane flying above, it is quiet and peaceful. THE BAD - the area near the falls are pretty clean but the area of the river where the locals wash their laundry is littered with trash -vandals have left their mark on the rock face near the falls. - Rocky terrain - the falls are small THE BEST - the hanging bridge that spans the lahar fields. - Being close to nature - no other hikers around during the early morning hours during the week - short, cheap hike that's near the city TIPS - go early morning on a weekday to avoid the heat and the crowds - avoid the Summer months when it's their peak season BRING - extra shoes and clothes because you will get wet. - sunscreen a hat and mosquito repellent - lots of water

A lot of people are into hiking and camping nowadays. It is somewhat what they call an "in" thing…read morebut this hobby takes guts and a lot of passion for adventure. One experience I will never forget is hiking Mt. Balingkilat in Zambales. It was an 8-hour hike/climb (with my pace) going up to the campsite. It was really rewarding because the view was definitely amazing, day or night. We witnessed the sunset, the night sky full of stars, and eventually the sunrise. We stayed there over night and the next day we traversed to Nagsasa Cove. We relaxed by the beach while waiting for the boat. When it arrived, we went island hopping and visited Capones Island which was beautiful as well. Clear waters and an amazing horizon was just the perfect way to end the trip and go back to Manila. This great experience was all possible because of a group of people who arranged everything from the round trip transportation down to the meals, boat rides and of course the mountain climb itself. Vincent Sy, a graduate of DLSU and has great passion for anything outdoor-nature related, started DTF - Da Trekking Friends together with his brother Vernon Sy last April 21, 2015. It is a Manila-based service group who organizes trips that involve a lot of outdoor adventure for those who want to hike/trek (to anywhere in the Philippines) but don't know what to do and where to start. They basically offer the service of helping you organize where, when and what you want to do in this trip. They even have affordable packages to choose from! To them, customer convenience matters. With the lead of Vincent, anyone who wants to experience what I have experienced can finally do so without the stress that comes with the planning! Of course you may wonder if you're in the right hands. My answer would be, yes! This guy really knows what he's doing. He has hiked 22 mountains, trekked to 12 falls/rivers, and explored around 10 islands/beaches/coves all of which are in the Philippines. DTF is indeed qualified to be your planner and tour guide. If you want to see more of the beauty there is in the Philippines, see what else it has to offer and want a change in terms of fun and adventure, give DTF a call. I promise you'll have great time! I know I did. With their lead, I was able to see a different side of the country. Facebook page - DTF: Da Trekking Friends Email Address - datrekkingfriends@gmail.com Mobile no. - 0926 681 8620

Mountaineering can be a very expensive hobby, and it is one of those activities that require good…read moreand reliable equipment, or else you compromise your comfort, convenience and safety. In my climbing and hiking trips, I would get such equipment envy seeing other people with really specialized equipment, especially well-designed and hyper-functional camping backpacks and rucksacks. It is comforting to discover that for beginner hobbyists and mountain climbers, a local brand can compete to the very expensive foreign brands such as The North Face and Columbia. Sandugo is a homegrown brand that caters to the mountaineering crowd. Their entry-level equipment is reliable and handy enough for out-of-town camping trips, and even seasoned mountain climbers swear by the durability and the dependability of their equipment. They cost effectively a third of the big brand names, yet with their sandals, shoes, climbing gear, backpacks and rucksacks, you don't really have to sacrifice quality and hardiness. It is a perfect starting ground for when you are only testing the waters as far as mountain climbing is concerned. The knowledgeable staff in their Metro Point branch will tell you about the pros and cons of using their products. They are very honest and straight to the point, as they are also experienced climbers themselves. They are able to give you expert opinions as to what equipment will be more effective for specific types of travelers.

LOOK LEFT Pundaquit…read moreBeach is the dock-off point of travellers heading to the islands of Capones, Anawangin, and Nagsasa. We prepared less for this trip and it took us 6-hours to queue at the bus station. We took an Iba-bound bus for another 5 hours on the road. We arrived San Antonio by sunset. Quite honestly we are initially disappointed upon arriving at our accommodation. It is an extremely tiring trip and there's is a big group occupying half of the resort. They tend to be rowdy through the night. We stayed here since we refuse to camp in the islands. We got non-aircon cottages which is actually a steal for a budget of less than Php1000 per night. Meals is not a problem, they serve pretty good breakfast. Tables and chairs are also provided outside the cottages. There is also a tree house deck for relaxation. Like most backpackers inn, the rest rooms are communal but well-maintained. There is no vehicle parking in their premises but there nearby spaces available for rent. On to our second night of stay, as soon as the big group leave, it turned out as a quiet place to stay and unwind. The hotel staff also assisted us in getting a boat to Nagsasa for our Day Tour. We booked the boat for Php1200 back and forth. Tried Ohana Art Cafe for dinner. Food is just okay. We ordered the set meal for P350 per plate. For our last night in Pundaquit, we had a Filipino food feast at Canoe Beach Resort. Menu extremely affordable and surprisingly good. We had Sisig, Sinigang, Caldereta, Ensalada, Grilled Fish, and Drinks for Php1200.

Out of the other coves you can visit in Zambales, Nagsasa is my favorite. Just a few hours from…read moreManila, the campsite is not as crowded and you can go on a nice hike across the mountainous area to enjoy two waterfalls. There is also a very basic toilet and shower so you can still do your business and clean yourself up. I like that on the right side, if you're facing the cove, is an open area where you can play Frisbee or tan to your heart's content. The water is also calm and warm. Guides are available for the hike. We did this on a whim so we did not have the right attire, but we survived our in flip flops and swim shorts. It's always better to be prepared, though. If you're on a budget, buy food at the wet market before boarding the boat to the cove. You can cook in the little kitchen hut at the campsite, just remember to ask your guide nicely. You can also ask them to charge your gadgets for you for a small fee (less than P30), but that means they will take a boat back to your take-off point where there is electricity. If you run out of water, you can also ask them to get water for you. We found out that one of the waterfalls is the source of that water so if you're picky, bring plenty of bottles or a portable filter.

A classic place for a retreat, immersion, or field trip, the Seven Lakes in San Pablo Laguna…read moreprovide a wonderful experience to those who want to experience nature from the perspective of the locals. Each of the seven lakes has its own character and story that one can already be amused with the tales of the local folklore (and occasional campfire horror story) that the local tour guides and residents will tell you. Being prepared for anything is a good idea, especially if you intend to hike, trek, or otherwise swim, wade or paddle all throughout your journey covering this massive area, which is composed not just of the lakes, but the forests and the hills, or even the nearby mountains. A trip, of course, best shared with a group of friends you can rely on and depend on. Truly another adventure that is more fun in the Philippines!