6 BOHOL IS ONE OF THE BEST TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

This is the second part of my travel in Bohol. I was planning to post this right away after my trip but since I just got in to a new company I need some attention, torn between career and hobby. Additionally my laptop just died so that’s another factor. 

Unfortunately natural disaster just happened that tumbled-down most of the beautiful places I've been to. I don’t think that this a reason why I wasn't able to post this out but I’d like to use the opportunity to encourage those people who love to travel. Let's help them build the rich tourism industry. That way we can help them to stand up and be strong. Bohol is one of the best destinations in the Philippines.

I was searching for google images and most of the pictures displayed pity, disappointment, letdown, etc, and I don’t want to use those pictures. And I found this one, so whoever owned this photo; kindly allow me to use it. I’d like to see the strong spirit, the resilient of Boholanos. Kamang sa yutang natawhan.

So let me take you again and be my guest as we tour around Bohol.

BAMBOO HANGING BRIDGE

En route back to Tagbilaran City, the driver dropped us to a Bamboo Hanging Bridge that is crossing the Sipatan River in the Municipality of Sevilla. Although entrance is already inclusive to the countryside tour, I noticed that the driver paid P20 each. Obviously entrance cost twenty pesos per head. Hanging Bridge is a fun tourist attraction. Based from my research, it is originally constructed using just bamboo and rope, and now the rope has made way to steel cables giving safety and firmness of the bridge.

It’s a twin bridge that are parallel to each other so foot traffic is reduced, while you are ongoing on one bridge and come back on the other. The bridge extents 40 meters with a bamboo trees formed a woven slats on the deck. On the other side, locals will welcome you to watch “The Buko King”; he already joined one of the talent shows in national television where he can strip coconut in like 10 seconds using only his teeth.

LOBOC RIVER CRUISE

While we were excited looking at the beautiful surroundings, you can’t just deny that your tummy needs some fuel to fires up the entire day of trip. So the driver made sure that the next stop is the River Cruise in Loboc River which is one of the must-do’s while visiting Bohol.

While waiting for our schedule, right across the port is the beautiful Loboc Church, and the winding river. The cruise usually starts with a buffet, so it is an eat all you can heavy lunch serving delicious Filipino foods. There’s also a local singer singing from the start till the end up to the beat of the hungry bellies. The boat will turn around when you reach waterfalls. So going back to the port, cruise will stop in a small “balsa” along the river and the locals will provide a cultural show. You can see their faces showing their hospitality and warm welcome. Hoping that today, Boholanos are wearing now a smiles like the children in the picture.

And good to hear that the Loboc river cruise kick starts for tourism revival last October 24^th.

BACLAYON CHURCH

This is just six kilometers away from the capital city of Bohol, Tagbilaran City. Baclayon church is the second oldest stone church in the Philippines, comes after San Agustin Church in Intramuros Manila. The moment we arrived there, it feels like I was back in Manila, in the walled city of Intramuros as it is home of old educational institutions, old churches and houses.

As we alighted the van, the driver pointed his finger towards to the column of the church. He said if I can see the image of Father Pio. I was actually trying to imagine if there is but my naked eye cannot think of any figures the forms a human face or whatever. So he asked me to take my camera and pointed out to the column and boom I quickly spot of Father Pio’s face – with his eyes, nose, cheek bones, and covered with beard. Can you see it?

INSIDE BACLAYON CHURCH

You can enter inside the church through the Parking side. It won’t cost you entering inside the church. The receiving area is striped with statues of saints. Though I am a pure Catholic but I do not recognize some statues. Upon entering the main church you will find a pulpit likewise in San Agustin, in the days before microphone, the pulpit is almost in the middle of the church so the priest is better heard by attending Catholics.

I’m not really familiar with the terminologies on how you described the interior of the church or even in a typical house. All I can say that the interior of the church is somewhat like vintage that is full of artworks just like the book I found in library that talks about Plato. Like the last supper is painted in the ceilings.

Another charm of the Church is the Museum located in the upper level of the entrance. Unfortunately camera is not allowed, that’s why I don’t have any picture. Though I’m kind of disobey or something and honestly I always do that – like no flashing of camera or something like that and then I still do it. However, I didn’t forget that I am in the church so I have to be honest for myself at least during that time. Jeez. So what is inside the museum is all the relics, the stuffs used during the mass, the holy thingy used by Augustinians priests. And what amazed me there is they preserved the clothes ( I don’t know how you call it , the clothes worn by priests during the mass), and it was like 400 something years in preservation. Wow!!! I wasn’t born that time yet. Amazing. And by the way museum has an entrace of P50.

PRONY THE LARGEST PYTHON

This surprised me and I feel saddened. I will never know until I reached this part to blog about Prony, the largest python captivity. I’m gonna miss this big girl. She died on August 14, 2013 for still unknown cause. And that happened the next month after we visited. Hope I did not bring the jinx. God, I wish I’m not.  She weighs about 280 kilos and measuring about 23 feet. Per caretaker, she was fed two hogs weighing 65 kilos and she can finish it for an hour, whew terrible! and that is good for one whole month.

During our visit I did not expect that I can go inside the den since I’m really scared of snakes. But since she was on shedding that time, it is the process of changing the skin. I had the courage to get closer to her and do the photo ops as her energy was failing at that time. I just touched her to check how cold she was, though they ask me to seat or lie down. God knows, no way!!! And still I was like shaking. So the caretaker gave us a little demo that she is friendly. Look at the photo below. Humiga talaga siya kay Prony.

And that ends our eight-hour countryside trip to Bohol. We went home super tired and our plan to go stroll around Bohol in the night to look for food trips wasn’t accomplished because we woke up 11PM and the neighborhood is already sleeping at that time.

So if you stay longer in Bohol there are other tours that you might wanna try.

ISLAND HOPPING - that includes Dolphin and Whale watching, Snorkeling, and Virgin Island Exploration. Also includes of car and pumpboat.

Package per Head: 

P2500 - 1pax

P2000 - 2pax

P1500 - 3pax

P1250 - 4pax

P1200 - 5pax

So again, let us help Bohol rebuild and join them to stand overcome the challenges they are facing. Bohol is still one of the best destination of the Philippines. #BagonBohol #AngBagongBohol

8 PART II: HOLY CLIMB 2013 AT MT. UGO

Sunrise at the Summit of Mt. Ugo

Day 2 | Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

Everyone was still at the deep sleep, snoring. I understand because of mindboggling trek from Kayapa all the way up to the camp site. However my night is quite different, I never learnt what happened in Mt. Pulag. I only brought myself two pieces of jackets and pants and barely sleeping the frozen ground, no ground sheet, no sleeping bag – nothing at all. I was awake the entire night, shaking.

The radiance of the earth showed up, multiple colours painted the horizon. I chose to go out and started to take a rare view of the sphere in an extremely cold dark ambience. I almost forgot that I woke up not just to celebrate for another mountain top but the resurrection of the only Begotten Son.

I feel so blessed that I was on top of the earth, an inch away from heaven. I feel so blessed when the sun shine brighten my pale face. Nothing more to ask but a simple thank you for the wonderful nature and friendship with my TOSOC family.

Suddenly the sea of clouds once again showed upon us, everyone started to wake up. Another overwhelming view of nature entertained our eyes. The sun rises and everyone had to seize another rare moment. Behind us are the Luzon’s highest peaks and the Cordillera mountains.

Mt. Ugo's Sea of Clouds

TOSOC Family in front of Sunrise.

Mike, leader naming pogi-pogi with the Bellas.

TOSOC's Kanto Boys

Loneliness is not cured by human company, loneliness is cured by contact with reality.

As the sun cheering up , Jaime invited me visit the summit. It was 10 – 15 minutes walk from the camp site. Surprisingly, I thought we were the only group visited Mt. Ugo but there were three mountaineers pitched their tent at the peak. We continued to witness the view from the top as the sun rises. We also visited the “marker point” which as per Ivan Cultura of Batang Lakwatsero, the spot is a tri-boundary shared by three provinces namely: Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, and Pangasinan. 

Preparing for Breakfast.

Minutes later we need to go back down to help others prepare our breakfast and prepare ourselves for another big day. As per local, it will be another seven hours or more down to Itogon, Benguet since we do traverse.

Hot Coffee or Sticky Rugby? :)

Our small community.

Right after breakfast, we still managed to do some crazy photo shoots while other busy fixing their tents. Take nothing but pictures indeed. This is a very rare opportunity so take photo as long as the battery and the memory still available. Especially conquering Mt. Ugo is far easy. 

Photoshoot!

TOSOC Family

And the time has come that everybody needs to live. Proud for another mountain top and pleased to succeed major climb challenge. Tent gone one by one, bags filled with the gears and zippers rhymed little by little. TOSOC once again conquered a beautiful mountain.

Start our descent by 8:00AM, we were divided again by two groups. And before we leave the panoramic place we had best shot in front of the marker. We were standing in three provinces, in the three different regions. We were at the 2,150 meters above sea level or eight times the tallest building in the country, PBCom Tower.

Standing 2,150masl, Mt. Ugo's Summit

Second Group with Mt. Ugo mark.

These two people fell in love with each other because of the mountains. The forest, the slopes, and the trails witnessed your belongingness that your heart lingers like the peaks of the mountain. Thinking if I'm gonna send this photo as an official entry for PinoyMountaineer's photo contest. :)

The height charm us, but the steps do not; with the mountain in our view we love to walk the plains.

So the descent began. That day there was an event for trail runs challenge, there were 63 participants. Proud to those people because they can still run and had the time pressure despite the ascents. Our complaints were worthless as compared to their challenge. That was the real challenge.

Participants for the trail run.

Going down is a bonus round except for a long walk. Walking inside the pine forest trail looked like the woods seen from The Walking Dead series. Lucky to have these Pine trees that will serve us shed from the tremendous heat from the sun.

Descent started from 15KM, and there will be yellow marker each and every half kilometre. However it seems like inaccurate, half kilometre looks like equivalent to 3KM. Darn! And I don’t know what R.O.X means. Nobody knows.

Along the trail we met some flocks of cows, and we almost crushed. For some reason, I don’t know maybe Albert wearing red or the mother cow was just protective to her kids. I was after him and when he passed that slope a cow was running towards him and luckily he was able to avoid the almost dreadful accident. He was able to turn behind the pine tree and pick up a twig and ready to slash out if pursued. And we don’t know if we could pass through after him since the male cow has a big and sharp horn and ready to chase us. And end up with a quick run going down. Good thing they chose not to follow us. Whew thanks God!

Quite village of Lusod.

Boodle Fight, kainggit di kami nakasama dito.

Since were divided into two groups, the first group already passed the quite village of Lusod; a supposed to be our meeting place for lunch while waiting for the second group to arrive. Unfortunately we received their message 3KM away from Kawayan Village. So we chose resume our trek to reach the village where we can get rest and lunch. We were damn hungry and water is the only source of our energy. My legs were shaking and ready to give up, nobody likes to talk and I feel like I had bad breath already. We were too serious, you can really feel the eagerness to get to Kawayan village. 

Finally we reach Kawayan village after a walk-run-walk pace. We we’re welcome by a sari-sari store who offered 1.5L of cold Royal and gone for just a couple of seconds. Jizz we almost eat human flesh..that’s how hungry we were. Manang offered us free rice so we ordered can goods, the best taste ever. While waiting for the others, we shell out sleep for two hours. A good rest already from a killer hike. 

Kawayan Village, rich with rice crops.

Second group arrived and we asked them if they can still walk all the way to hanging bridge where we can have rest for a while and took picture all together. Everyone continued walking until we reach the Petican-Animal Bridge, crossing the Agno River. 

I was very glad to cross this hanging bridge, aside from the magnificent view. I had checked out my bucket list for this year. First ever crossing hanging bridge.

• To cross hanging bridge.  √check
• To summit five mountains including Pulag.. 3 summit to go.  √check

Petican-Animal Bridge

Finally we reached 00KM after nearly 8 hours, the yellow mark congrats us for a triumphant. But look at their faces!!! Galit?

And to formally complete our traverse, we need to register at Brgy Hall of Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet and pay the necessary payment and get our prize, the Certification. Our chartered jeep waited for us at the welcome mark that will bring us to Barangay Hall and there you can get some refreshments.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

• Kuya Edwin: Chartered Jeep from Aritao CCQ Market to Kayapa, 0920 469 7713
• Guide: Contact Alex @ 0921 984 0254
• Registration and Chartered Jeep from Kawayan Village to Brgy. Hall to Baguio contact Mam Jerda @ 0939 834 5655

EXPENSES:

• P2,000/head for 16 people
• P1,600 for registration and expenses at Tingondan Brgy Hall, Itogon Benguet
• P400/day per guide [3 guides, 2days] = P2,400
• Prices for chartered jeep, you can call them at the number listed above.

CLIMB ITINERARY:

Meet Up / Day1

2000: Meet Up Victory Liner Kamias

2200: ETD to Aritao CCQ Market

0400: ETA CCQ Market

0500: ETD to Kayapa via Chartered Jeep

0600: ETA Kayapa Public Market [JumpOff Point, Registration, Preparation]

0700: Start Trek

1030: Indupit Village [1 hr rest, snack - lunch]

1130: Continue Trek to Ansipsip

1300: ETA Ansipsip Shed - Continue Trek

1600: ETA Camp Site [Not the Summit]

1800: Social - Dinner

2100: Lights Off Sleeping Time

Day 2

0500: Wake Up Time / Sunrise viewing at the Summit

0600: Breakfast Preparation

0700: Break Camp

0800: Start Descent

1200: Lunch Losod Village

1600: ETA Kawayan Village

1630: ETA Petican-Animal Bridge

1730: ETA Brgy Tinongdan Hall, Itogon, Benguet

1830: ETD to Baguio

1930: Baguio City Victory Terminal / Dinner

--------**ETD to Manila, depending on ticket availability.

Here's the part 1 of Mt. Ugo Traverse

Another mountain top, another major climb success. Thank you TOSOC FAMILY  for a memorable and unforgettable climb experience. Though we had a lot of complaints yet we made it. Though we had a lot of pains yet we received a rare prize. And most of all thank you Papa God for your guidance, blessings and love that all of us went home safe and sound. Mr. Mike Simeon sa walang sawang pag invite samen, of course Netskie and Mitchell matagal ko nang nakakasama to halos sa lahat ng pagsama ko. Our girls, Donna, Angelica and Kim, lovers Rochelle and Dennis, new lovers for the love of mountaineering Rudolf and Charo, ngaun ko lang nakakasama sir Idol Van, Idol Bolong and Idol Caloy, our hottest model Idol Donald aka Bogz, and si Idol Jaime na lapitin sa girls. Salamat mga Idols. Looking forward for another mountain top this year.

4 PART I: HOLY WEEK CLIMB 2013 AT MT. UGO

I haven’t yet explored mountains nearby Metro Manila, only few, and for the record I only conquered three peaks – two from Batangas and one in Bataan. Surprisingly twenty thirteen arrived and our grouped humbly surmounted the Cordilleras. Kick off was in Mt. Pulag last January 20 and consequently is Mt. Ugo since I wasn’t able to join for their Mt. Marami climb.

I was already informed about Mt. Ugo and made my confirmation for another Cordillera mountain top challenge.  The group conducted pre-climb thru Mt. Marami but I refused to join for a reason.

Here’s the part 1 of our Mt. Ugo traverse Kayapa – Itogon. 

THROWBACK and FACTS

According to Locals, “Ugo” derived from Ibaloi word “Ugoan” which means “to cut the neck”. Mt. Ugo witnessed the tragic incident way back June 26, 1987 when flight PR206 crashed 200 yards below the summit that killed 50 people onboard. Today Mt. Ugo stands 2,150+ MASL with 5/9 trail difficulty that considers a major climb. Entry point is in Kayapa, Nueva Vizcaya, exit in Itogon, Benguet.

DAY1 – Black Saturday | March 30, 2013

After six hours of dead-beat travel from Manila, finally we set our foot at the CCQ Market in Aritao Nueva Vizcaya where we can have our early snack while waiting for the chartered jeep that will bring us to Kayapa (our entry point). It was still dark so everyone had to prepare and munched some fare of food.

An hour later, Manong arrived and our journey continued all the way to the entry point in Kayapa. It was more than an hour ride; cold breeze of summer was present in a dark atmosphere. Lights appeared slowly and the engine continues striking and the wheels managed to run in a curve roads.

Arrived on time at the Kayapa Public Market, we had our last minute shopping and breakfast while I managed to write down all the names for registration. That time, local Police Station was still close but the logbook was left outside for registration [no registration fee]. After final arrangement and preparation, our three guides were ready and so we are, at exactly 7AM; 16 people started to test the game of the fittest. 

First part of the trail is simply a curse. A curse that will test your capabilities. Try to imagine of an unending ascent for three hours long. It will really test how strong and tough you are. I had my jogging training for a week before the said date but it wasn’t enough, and I believe everyone had the same experience. “Take5” is the most common and trending word around that time and the most challenging part of the entire climb. Everyone was panting and running out of breath besides the panoramic views around.

Game of the Fittest indeed.

As I remember we had plenty of rests, like I mention Take 5 is the most common word used. The group was then divided; I was one in the front runners. Not to underestimate the girls but whoever dares the challenge shall complain the steepest trail ever.

Around 10:30 when we arrived at Indupit Village. We had our very long rest, took our lunch and even caught a little nap. Mike [idol naming leader na pogi pogi] let us rest for an hour.

Indupit village offers relaxing view. Fogs pass every ticks of a second, cold atmosphere felt despite the direct sunlight. Everyone had their nap under the sun after our lunch but some chose chatting. 

Unexpectedly [photo inset] a big machine on top of 1,000+ high..really? I didn’t dare to ask but I think it is used for road widening. I am thinking of a project like in Pulag where chartered jeep will bring you up to Ranger Station. 

Exactly 11:30AM resumed our trek. One hour is already enough for recovery. Jizz I was drained. And grateful to have flat ground from Indupit to Domolpos Village shaped at the edge of the ground. Bonus point, I remember our Pulag trail, few steep but most were gradual and flat. 

Few minutes later we finally reach Ansipsip shed, perfect location to espy Mt. Ugo’s summit. Since we had our lunch already some continued to trek while other’s decided to rest. Another bonus point, flat ground all the way to the next water source. As per guide, from Ansipsip shed it will take 2-3 hours before summit. And so we had non-stop trek going to water source then from there, few steep trails again. Continue walking until the last shed. I sustained my energy since my eyes wedged the summit.

The summit will be on our hands in few minutes or an hour maybe. However the last trail surprise us for another steep trail, times two the trail from Kayapa to Indupit village. Less trees, more sunlight! Jizz. This tree [photo inset] will be your reminder that you are almost there. Push push.

Around 3pm we finally reach the campsite. Summit is 10 – 15 minutes away from the campsite. And since we were divided into number of groups, the first second or third group arrived while the last one, group of Mike arrived almost dark and foggy already. Our guide had to go back to fetch them and bring the foods in order for us to prepare dinner. The last group terribly weary since Mitchell suffered from cramps and cause of knee injury.

Later that night, right after dinner – social follows. The memorable drinking session ever with the TOSOC’s, party on top of the mountain with very special “COW” guests.

Click here for the Part 2 of our Mt. Ugo Traverse, Easter Sunday March 31, 2013