Category Archives: Mountaineering

Pahangin sa Anawangin

My girlfriend told me that she wanted to relax, go to a beach and have some fun to take the stress from work away. But as a student, I dont really have the financial income to take her to a fancy resort. So i told her i have a surprise for her for the weekend that im sure she will enjoy. I started by booking us a bus ride to San Antonio Zambales on a saturday morning, using my student ID ofcourse for a discount :). took us about 3 and half hours ride to get there. Then called a tricycle to take us to Pundaquit to a man I meet last year (who i called the night before) for a boat ride to Anawangin cove. While in the boat a view of Anawangin with Pine trees, white sand, and Mt. Pundaquit sorrounding the cove in its background make my girlfriend smile and say “wow! ang ganda babe”.When we arrived there, I started to set our tent then cook breakfast for the both of us while she was sitting on the sand and enjoying the view. We explore the cove, swim at the beach and I can see her really happy and stress free. We were supposed to go to Capones Island for more exploration as negotiated by me and the mr Resty (the boat man) but to our dismay, the waves were too high and dangerous so we agreed to cancel going there. On the bus ride home, my gf hug me and thanked me then told me that it was the best adventure she did so far and she’s excited for the next one. We didn’t spend the night there because i told her parents that i will bring her home that same day.

You can also try what my friends and I did last year, we trekked Mt. Pundaquit to Anawangin Cove then stayed there and explore. Then boat ride to Capones Island. Explore the light house there, swim (you can also do snorkling there), then back to Pundaquit. But I will suggest a 2 day trip specially if you have a beginner in trekking tag along with you.

Estimated budget: 1200-1500 pesos (each)

Itinerary for day trip only
0500 – ETD from Victory Liner Pasay terminal (Bus going to Iba Zambales)
0830 – ETA Brgy. San Antonio (take tricycle from there)
0900 – ETA Pundaquit (Ride a boat from there)
0930 – ETA Anawangin Cove

Set camp, explore, social, swim etc.

1200 – Lunch
1400 – ETD from Anawangin to Capones Island
1600 – ETA to Pundaquit (take tric back to San Antonio then bus to Cubao)

Itinerary for overnight
Day 1
2330 – ETD from Victory Liner Pasay terminal (Bus going to Iba Zambales)
0300 – ETA Brgy. San Antonio (take tricycle from there)
0330 – ETA to Pundaquit, negotiate boat ride ang guide.
0400 – Start Trek
0600 – ETA Mt. Pundaquit Summit
0800 – ETA Anawangin Cove

Set camp, explore, social, swim etc.

Day 2
0900 – Breakfast
1100 – ETD from Anawangin to Capones Island
0100 – ETA to Pundaquit (take tric back to San Antonio then bus to Cubao)

Special Concerns:
Accidents have benn avoided due to recklessness of the swimmer. So always be cautious and never ever underestimate a mountain or mother nature

Take nothing but pictures
Leave nothing but footprints
Kill nothing but time

Hamon ng Manalmon

     3 times the challenge is what Mt. Manalmon offers. located at San Miguel Bulacan. Trekking, caving, and zip line will make this place unforgettable. A 2 hour trek that will pass through Madlum cave then passing through Madlum river is only the start. When you reach the summit,  fresh air blowing in your face and a view of Sierra Madre and Mt. Arayat with take all your stress and troubles away. Set camp, cook dinner and social with your friends. In the morning a great view of the sunrise will start your day right. Take pictures and start to descent, the start of the 2nd adventure awaits. At the jump off, there is a river that you can pass through by land or crossing a 2 high powered wires (for your hands and feet). You can jump to the river in the middle of the wire but CAUTION is a MUST. And i suggest doing this after our 3rd adventure :). One of the reason why Biak-na-Bato is famous is because of their caves. Bayukbok Cave, a 2 hour exploration put the icing in the cake of our adventure. After this exploration, have lunch near the jump off and swim in the river is also an option.

 
Estimated budget: 800-1000 Pesos

 
ITINERARY

Day 1
0500 From Cubao or Pasay; take Cabanatuan-bound bus (use student ID for discount)
0730 ETA Brgy. Kamias, San Miguel; take tricycle to jump-off
0800 Arrive at jump-off; register and get guides at community
0900 Start trek
1030 ETA summit of Mt. Manalmon; take pictures and socials

Day 2

0800 Start descent
1000 Back at community
1030 Visit Madlum and Bayukbok Caves
1230 Back at community; Lunch
1330 Swim at Madlum river
1430 Back at jump-off; proceed back to Brgy. Kamias
1500 Take bus back to Manila