Amidst the Seas of Clouds: Mount Ulap

Roadside view at the jumpoff.

There is no doubt that the northern part of the country has the richest mountain views and scenes. Mt. Ulap is no exception. One of the most popular mountains to beginners or seasoned hikers alike, Mt. Ulap lives up to its popularity.

Breathtaking mountain ranges around takes most of the duration of the hike to the summit. If you're early, you'll see occasional sea of clouds all around the trails. A view of Baguio City from afar is visible as it is relatively close, roughly an hour away from the jump off point.

Panoramic views are a feast at Mt. Ulap. Although the trail is long and quite hot because of the lack of covers, you are welcomed by scenic views of endless peaks and summits all around. And so i found myself creating a collection of panoramas of this breathtaking path to the top.

Panorama view at the summit.

Below is a somewhat trailer of our hike. There is no full length video though.. :D

Four Lakes and a Grassy Summit: Scenic Mt. Mabilog

Hilltops, a breath of fresh air and breezy lake sides, that's what nature lovers go for as their weekend getaway, away from the busy streets of the cities and that's exactly what Mt. Mabilog is all about.

In a nature oriented town in the province of Laguna, Mt. Mabilog lies beside the Lake of Yambo, in Brgy. Sulsuguin, in the town of Nagcarlan. It's a relatively easy hike for beginners. You'll have a nice and close view of Yambo Lake before you head to the trail jump off. You can also arrange a lunch-on-a-raft with the locals near the lake for a meal in the middle of the lake experience.

The trail to the summit of Mt. Mabilog is easy with a short assault to the reach the top. Crossing farmlands most of the duration of the hike so be careful of the occasional forks in the trails and be  courteous  to the locals. 

The summit is a wide clear grassland with just a few trees for resting under shade. A 360 degree panoramic view overlooking the twin lakes Yambo and Pandin, as well as Palakpakin and Mohicap. The mountains visible around the summit are Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Atimla, Mt. Nagcarlan(Kalisungan), and Mt. Malauban(just beside lake Yambo).

Seascape and Hilltop: The Best of both at Gulugod

Sunset at the Campsite

Most of us prefer to go to the sea to relax as the sound of the waves crashing to the shore really hits that moment of peace away from the stress of the city. There are of course those who loves a hike in the hills or mountains as it soothes the body with a breath of fresh air and a good view of the setting sun. For those who loves to enjoy the company of nature, well, you can enjoy both at a place called Mt. Gulugod Baboy.

Weekend with Sand Bars and Bakawan: Alibijaban

San Andres Port

A paradise of sand bars and mangroves lie at the tip of the Quezon Province, in the town of San Andres, in the island called Alibijaban. We've traveled 7 hours by land from my hometown Nagcarlan to the town of San Andres. The first stop is the market to buy some fish for dinner. Then, we headed for the boat and to our surprise, a seemingly brand new port sits along the shores of the town. As we were told to bring water to the island, a few meters away from the port is a purified water station where you can fill up water containers for safe drinking and cooking. To get across to the island we have chartered a boat to take us to the island. If you are wondering how much the boat costs don't worry, prices aren't that steep here.

Mami Chronicles: Nagcarlan

Food is everywhere. Towns and cities often get identities based on the local cuisine and delicacies but when it comes to cyclists and travelers, there is one that stands out; the "Mami". For bikers like me, the "mami" is a good source of energy on the go. It is filling but not too heavy and because of its rich soup, it is quickly absorbed by the body as a source of energy for more biking. There are many mami houses in Nagcarlan as well as the nearby towns and here in this blog, join me as I discover them all. Brace yourselves my friends, this will be a long one. Let us awaken our taste buds for the "Mami Chronicles:Nagcarlan", and try not to drool while your at it.. :D

First up, Ampy's Bikers Mami House. Situated somewhere along the road going to Brgy. Calumpang, Aling Ampy's mami is as far as I can tell, the best Mami in the outskirts of Nagcarlan.

Next is the one I grew up with, Mario's Mami. This is somewhat the Legendary Mami of Nagcarlan. Located near the heart of Nagcarlan, this mami house sits at the corner of the Market street and the street going to Liliw. I grew up eating their mami every once in a while and whenever on soft diet.. :)

Spending time by the Municipal Hall is how I found the next one. On the street going to Brgy. Yukos, M. Doria St., is a Mami House open only in the morning. It's a spot for those who rise up early for a morning walk or a jog to Brgy. Palayan for some fresh air. Unli-Soup here guys! :D

At the canteen of the Municipal Hall is another spot for hot Mami. Tarits is what we call her (short for Tita Rita), she manages the coop canteen. Here is where you eat if you have to spend long hours at the Municipal Hall.

At an intersection along Brgy. Palayan road is our next spot. Mang Nery's Mami. A good mami spot if you happen to pass by with soup-hunger. :)



Next up, for as far as I know, this is the only Chicken Mami in town. Ate Nieva's Canteen. There are many delicious choices available here but I strongly recommend her Chicken Mami. You can find the canteen at Rizal Avenue near Rizal Standard Academy, beside Angel Photography.

Luisiana: A town of Pandan, a Giant Waterfall called Hulugan and a Cafe named Ustingan

From now on, I'll be posting adventures from Nagcarlan and my other adventures from beyond my hometown. This will now be "The Man of Stills: Nagcarlan and Beyond".

This will only be the first Beyond Nagcarlan adventure that I will post so expect more to come.

Recently, I had an extraordinary waterfalls experience in a town founded by Don Luis and his Wife Doña Ana, the "Little Baguio of Laguna" as they call it, Luisiana (Luis Y Ana).

         During the 17th century, there was an area of land in Laguna known as Terreno de Nasonog (Lupaín ng Nasonog in Tagalog). In 1678, Terreno de Nasúnog was divided into three parts: Nasúnog de Lucban, Nasonog de Cavinti, and Nasúnog de Majayjay.

          Nasonog de Majayjay later became the town of Luisiana. It was only on April 3, 1854 that ecclesiastical independence was granted to Nasonog by the Governor-General (the Marqués de Novaliches) with the corresponding approval from the Archbishop of Manila, having Don Marcos Bartolomé as its first interim parish priest. Because of the role of Don Luis Bernárdo and his wife Doña Ana, the town was named 'Luis y Ana', later changed to 'Luisiana' (Source: Wikipedia)

Nagcarlan Talahibing River: A Non-Distant Paradise

      Living in Nagcarlan as a kid, I grew up spending my summer days swimming in the rivers of the town almost everyday. Me and my childhood friends often go picnic with our lunches and take dips to the rivers cold waters. If you're hungry for water adventures during summer days, Nagcarlan will surely be an interesting place to go. Here I'll let you take a glimpse of what is for the taking at the waters of Nagcarlan.